German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Germany would not join an initiative of Western allies to recognise the Palestinian state at next month’s United Nations General Assembly, Reuters reports.

Merz, while speaking at a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, said, “The position of the federal government is clear, as far as the possible recognition of the state of Palestine is concerned.”

“Canada knows this. We will not join this initiative. We don’t see the requirements met,” he added.