TEHRAN (Tasnim) Portugal announced it will formally recognize the State of Palestine on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. - World news -The ministry confirmed that the official declaration will precede next weeks High-Level Conference. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had earlier indicated during a visit to the United Kingdom that Lisbon was considering recognition of Palestine, underscoring a shift in the countrys policy stance. At present, only a limited number of the EUs 27 member states recognize Palestine, along with Sweden and Cyprus. The United Nations General Assembly voted in November 2012 to grant Palestine non-member state status, a move that amounted to de facto recognition of its sovereignty.