At a press conference with Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday, he said that many countries, including the United States, support recognition of a Palestinian state.

He added that Spain is working on a process to reduce the time required to establish a Palestinian state. Once Spain assumes the rotating presidency of the EU on January 1, it will continue to work hard to seek a Palestinian state, Zapatero said.

The European Union should be deeply involved as the peace process is facing many problems, he said, "and therefore we have to continue to work hard and in full cooperation with the Palestinian Authority" to overcome these problems.

Abbas insisted that peace talks will not resume unless Israel halts all settlement activities in the West Bank.

Zapatero also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and asked him not to obstruct dialogue and respect human rights.

(Press TV)