The Vatican said Wednesday it was preparing to sign its first accord with Palestine, two years after officially recognising it as a state.

"The bilateral commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine, which is working on a comprehensive agreement" on the life and activity of the Catholic Church in Palestine , is putting the final touches to the treaty, the Vatican said.

"The agreement will be submitted to the respective authorities for approval ahead of setting a debate in the near future for the signing."

While it will be the first time the Roman Catholic Church signs a treaty with the State of Palestine, the Vatican has recognised the state since February 2013.

"The Holy See has identified the State of Palestine as such since the vote" by the UN general assembly to recognise it in November 2012, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told AFP.

"In its annual directory the Palestinian representative is referred to as the representative of the State of Palestine.