The Maltese Government maintains its commitment to recognising the Palestinian state, 'once the appropriate circumstances are in place', the Office of the Prime Minister told The Malta Independent, as the international conference that had previously been indicated as the possible time for such recognition was delayed.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had said on a number of occasions that he is determined to be the Prime Minister who will officially recognise the State of Palestine. He had previously indicated that this might take place at an international conference in June, which was scheduled for today.

But that UN Conference had been postponed. French President Emmanuel Macron had said days ago that the top-level U.N. conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians that scheduled for next week had been postponed amid surging tensions in the Middle East.

Asked whether Malta is still going to recognise Palestine today, and if not when Malta could be expected to do so, the Office of the Prime Minister responded with the following statement: "The UN conference was scheduled for today, but it has now been postponed. It is not the Maltese government that decides when the conference convenes. However, Malta remains firmly committed to recognising a Palestinian state. The Maltese Government maintains its commitment to recognising the Palestinian state, once the appropriate circumstances are in place."

The government response indicates that the government's recognition seems to be tied to the UN conference.