Foreign ministers from 15 countries issued a joint statement late Tuesday after a conference in New York, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at renewing efforts for a two-state solution.

"In New York, together with 14 other countries, France is making a joint call - we express our desire to recognize the state of Palestine and call on those who have not yet done so to join us," the French minister said on the "X" platform.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that he would officially recognize Palestinian statehood in September, sparking a sharp reaction from Israel and the United States.

France wants to gain wider support for the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state.

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will officially recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes several"significant steps" by then, including agreeing to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Starmer and Paris' move would make the two European allies the first G7 countries to recognize Palestine.

In a statement, 15 countries, including Spain, Norway and Finland, affirmed their"unwavering support for the vision of a two-state solution."

Nine of the signatory countries that have not yet recognized the state of Palestine, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, expressed their willingness to do so or positively assessed such a step.

Seventeen countries, as well as the European Union and the Arab League, joined calls at the conference for the Hamas militant group to disarm and cease its rule in the Gaza Strip, thus ending the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.