Erjavec said that the EU ministers concluded at today's meeting that the Middle East peace process was dead and that efforts must be focused on restarting it.

The issue of recognition is one for the member states to decide each for themselves, he said, adding that several initiatives have already been launched in Slovenia to recognise Palestine.

Asked whether he thinks Slovenia should move ahead with recognition, Erjavec said this would be a "step in the right direction", but one which needed to be taken "with the broadest possible consensus".

In the absence of political efforts which would provide for a two-state solution, pressure must be put on Israel and recognition of Palestine would most likely be a form of such pressure, he said.

The minister added that a session of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee will be held soon to debate the issue.