Italy has always supported the Palestinians and will recognise the state of Palestine in future, the Palestian Authority's foreign minister Riad Malki said on Thursday.
"We are sure that the recognition of Palestine by Italy is only a matter of time," Malki told reporters at a joint press conference after a meeting in Rome with Alfano.
Malki thanked Italy, saying: "It has always been at our side and has given us the support we need."
"As long as we have countries like Italy beside us we will be on the right road," Malki said.
Malki held talks in Rome with Alfano on Thursday during the Third Joint Italy-Palestine Ministerial Committee at the Italian foreign ministry.
