Greece is expected to align with the majority of EU member-states and vote in favour of granting Palestine "enhanced partnership" - or participation with special rights - in the United Nations General Assembly, government officials said on Friday.

The vote does not amount to recognition of a Palestinian state in the UN, nor does it constitute bilateral recognition.

Greece will submit an explanatory statement of its vote, which will underline, among others, that the vote in favour is based on a position of principle that the resolutioin of the Palestine issue should be the result of a mutual agreement on the basis of a two-state solution.

It will also be pointed out that the best way to end the violence and tackle extremism is the creation of a sustainable political horizon for the Palestinians, a horizon that at the same time guarantees Israel's security.