RAMALLAH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official welcomed on Friday the announcement of Spain voicing its readiness to recognize a Palestinian state.

Josep Borrell, the Spanish Foreign Minister, said Thursday that his country's recognition of the state of Palestine is "on the table," adding that he would launch an "intensive" process to establish a European consensus on the matter.

Reyad al-Malki, the PA minister of foreign affairs, said in an emailed statement that the Palestinians are pleased with Spain's serious approach to the recognition of the state of Palestine.

The encouraging statement made by Borrell brings optimism, said al-Malki, revealing that he held talks with his Spanish counterpart two weeks ago on the issue.

He said that the recognition of a Palestinian state could be either collectively by a consensus of the European Union or individually by a single country.

He added that each European country "is entitled to take the decision it deems appropriate if consensus cannot be reached."

Malki said he will keep in contact with Borrell "to speed up the measures in favor of the recognition of the state of Palestine," and to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

The Palestinians seek the EU recognition of an independent Palestinian state on the borders occupied by Israel in 1967, as it underscores the two-state solution.