By DPA,
Asuncion (Paraguay): Paraguay recognised Palestine as a “free and independent” state Friday, within the Palestinian territorial borders prior to 1967.
Paraguay thus joined a host of other South American countries which recogbnise Palestine as an independent state dating back from 1967.
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia have moved in recent weeks to recognise Palestine, in decisions that the US and Israel slammed as counterproductive and damaging.
Venezuela also recognises Palestine as a sovereign state, and Uruguay has announced plans to do so next year.
“Loyal to its pacifist nature, (Paraguay) has supported the efforts of the international community to cooperate in solving the territorial conflict between Palestine and Israel,” the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Paraguay stressed “its conviction that direct bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine, which are currently stalled, are crucial to attain peace and security.”
South America and the Arab world are to hold in Lima their third summit, set for February 14 to 16, in a further move to boost relations between the two.