Other European countries are expected to make similar moves on Wednesday: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was expected to announce the date for Madrid's formal recognition of a Palestinian state and the Irish government has called a press conference for 0700 GMT to announce its decision, AFP reported.
The number of countries that have recognized Palestine's statehood at the UN level has increased recently, towards granting Palestine full membership at the UN.
Palestine was accepted as an observer state of the UN General Assembly in 2012, allowing its envoy to participate in debates and UN organizations but without a vote.
States are admitted to membership in the UN by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, according to the UN Charter.
A Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members -- the US, Britain, France, Russia, or China -- to pass.
SD/PR