Chilean President Gabriel Boric / Reuters file photo
Ramallah: The Palestinian government welcomed on Wednesday the announcement made by Chilean President Gabriel Boric to raise the level of his country's diplomatic representation in the occupied Palestinian territories to the level of establishing an embassy during his tenure. The Palestinian government said that this step confirms the Chilean Republic's support for the Palestinian people, supports their cause, and recognizes the State of Palestine, especially in light of the successive developments under the extremist Israeli government, which has been going on for decades.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Political Advisor to the Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Al Deek pointed out the position of the Chilean President during a private meeting in Santiago with senior figures from the Palestinian community, about raising the level of representation of his country in Palestine to an embassy.
Dr. Al Deek noted the Palestinian government's keenness to develop and strengthen relations with Chile for the benefit of the two peoples, pointing out that these statements come in the context of the advanced position of the State of Chile and its new president in supporting international law and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state.
He explained that the Palestinian side is following - via diplomatic channels, the declared Chilean position until it is translated into practice, expressing his pride in the Palestinian-Chilean relations and his aspiration to open more horizons of cooperation in various fields, as well as bilateral relations at all levels.
Dr. Al Deek also noted that the Chilean President's statements confirm Chile's recognition of the State of Palestine, pointing out that the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work to facilitate any next step in this direction for the friendly Chilean state.
It is noteworthy that the Palestinian-Chilean relations have always been present, as the Palestinian community in Chile is the largest of its kind in Latin America, and the second-largest presence of Palestinians abroad after Jordan.
The relations between the two sides strengthened in 1994, following the conversion of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Chile into a permanent representation of Palestine, and continued to flourish after the opening of its representative office in the city of Ramallah in 1998.
