Abbas calls on EU states to recognize state of Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini greet each other prior to a meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday called on EU states to swiftly recognize the state of Palestine, amid an international uproar sparked by the U.S. administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Abbas made the remarks before an informal lunch with EU foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini at the sideline of the bloc's monthly foreign affairs council.