President Mahmoud Abbas received today President of the Republic of Chile Sebastian Paniera, both presidents reviewed the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential headquarters In Ramallah.
Chilean President Sebastian Piñera arrived in Ramallah on Thursday on an official visit, immediately upon his arrival, Piñera planted an olive tree in Chile Street, laid wreath at the grave of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and toured Yasser Arafat’s Museum.
President Abbas informed President Banyara on a number of issues of mutual interest, the latest developments in Palestine and aggression, challenges and suffering Palestinians face as a result of the unjust occupation in our land, and our natural resources.
The President affirmed Palestine’s readiness to o enhance friendly relations and co-operation between Chile and Arab countries.
President Abbas said that the national rights of the Palestinian people are not real estate which are bought and sold, and that the political solution must before any economic programs or projects, and asserted his adherence to peace process according to the international references.
Chile historically has strong relations with Palestine and is home to the world’s largest Palestinian community outside of the Middle East, amounting to around 500,000 people.
last year, Abbas made an official visit to Chile, during which Piñera said: “Palestine has the right and the support of Chile to be a free, independent, sovereign and autonomous country, and the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination
It is worth mentioning that Chile supported UN resolution 67/19, which upgraded Palestine to non-member observer state status in the UN, and On 7 January 2011, Chile recognized Palestine as a full, free and sovereign state.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr, Minister of information Nabil Abu Rudeina, Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, Diplomatic Affairs Advisor Majdi Khalidi.