HELSINKI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Finland has decided to join the New York Declaration backing peace efforts and a two-state solution for Palestine, the government announced on Friday.

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen made the decision following consultations with state leadership. She stressed, however, that "joining the declaration does not mean that Finland is recognizing the Palestinian state," according to a government statement.

The Finnish government underlined that the move aligns with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's program and Finland's foreign and security policy guidelines.

Later on Friday, President Alexander Stubb welcomed the decision, calling it "a good step towards the two-state solution," and reaffirmed that "the two-state solution is a long-term goal of Finland."

France and Saudi Arabia hosted a UN conference in late July to push forward efforts for the two-state solution. At the conclusion of the meeting, they invited UN member states to endorse the declaration, with Sept. 5 set as the deadline for participation. ■