Ramallah, December 23 (RHC)-- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says his government is set to change the name it uses on passports from Palestinian Authority to the State of Palestine.

The Palestinian leader said it would most likely take one year or “even less” for the plan to be enacted. Abbas said: “We have already changed all documents issued by ministries and public services and they now bear the name State of Palestine. We no longer accept that anyone use the name Palestinian Authority.”

In related news, the Greek parliament, as expected, became the latest European legislative body to recommend recognition of a Palestinian state, adopting the measure in a nearly unanimous show of support on Tuesday.

The vote took place during a special parliament meeting attended by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who later addressed the lawmakers.

During the past months, other European legislatures, including those of the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Portugal, have recognized the Palestinian state. In December 2014, the European Parliament also overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state “in principle.