Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Brussels was joining the group in order to send a "strong political and diplomatic signal to the world." Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden described his country's decision as "the beginning of a renewed commitment to hope, a commitment to diplomacy, to dialogue, to coexistence, and a two-state solution." Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela told delegates that the country was "proud to confirm our official recognition of Palestinian statehood." Outside the EU, Monaco also declared its recognition of a Palestinian state, conditional on the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. Earlier in the day, France also formally recognized Palestine, joining the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal, which announced similar moves on Sunday.