President Piñera receives official visit from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
The two Presidents discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between both countries, especially in economic terms.
On Wednesday the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, hosted his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, who is making an official visit to Chile.
After the meeting, President Piñera stressed the importance of relations between the two countries. "The relationship between Chile and Palestine is not just one that dates back in time; it’s also been a very vital relationship, very close, of great appreciation and friendship," he stressed.
The Palestinian President was welcomed with a flower-laying ceremony in front of the Monument of Liberator Bernardo O'Higgins. Both leaders then took part in an extended private meeting with their respective teams, in which different topics were addressed to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in economic terms.
"We have talked about how to strengthen our ties of collaboration, of trade and many other areas, and we are going to revitalize and give a new dynamism to the working group that we formed in 2011, to further strengthen the relations between Palestine and Chile," said President Piñera during a joint statement delivered by both Presidents.
The talks also covered the situation in the Middle East, with President Piñera rejecting any incitement to violence. "We are fully aware of the problems that have affected Palestine in recent times, and Chile is a country that is respectful and committed to human rights and international law," commented the President of Chile.
The President also reiterated Chilean support for a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We have also discussed the issues that concern both countries and I wish to strongly and clearly ratify, once again, the position of Chile in relation to the issue that has affected Palestine since 1948. Chile is in favor of the existence of two free, sovereign, independent and autonomous States, that can truly resolve their differences through negotiations within the framework of the United Nations," he said.
Chile was the first Latin American country to open a Representative Office before the Palestinian National Authority in 1998 and has recognized the Palestinian State as of January 7, 2011. In March 2011, President Piñera made a visit to the Palestinian territories.