Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that Spain and Palestine will hold their first bilateral summit this year to strengthen relations.

"Before the end of this year, we will hold the first bilateral summit between Spain and Palestine, and we hope to sign many cooperation agreements between the two countries," Sanchez said during the opening ceremony of the political year in Madrid.

He stressed that his country will continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Norway, Ireland and Spain jointly recognised Palestine as a state in May amid international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the Israeli military operation.