RAMALLAH, March 4, 2011 (WAFA) – President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, is expected to arrive in Ramallah Saturday morning for an official visit to the Palestinian Territory.
He will hold talks with President Mahmoud Abbas and a high level Palestinian delegation.
This is Pinera’s first visit to the Palestinian Territory, which will also take him to Bethlehem, where he will meet local officials and visit Aida refugee camp and the Church of Nativity where he will attend a special mass.
Chile recognized in January the Palestinian state and upgraded the Palestine mission in Chile to the level of embassy.
While in Ramallah, Abbas will bestow on Pinera the Palestine Star medal, and both leaders will inaugurate Chile Street, near Abbas’ headquarters.
On Sunday, Pinera will visit Israel and meet Israeli officials.
Chile has the largest number of Palestinian expatriates in the world and in Chile, and their number reaches 350,000, most of them have been there for decades, according to Palestinian ambassador to Chile Mai Kaileh.
She said Pinera’s visit is considered historic, since it will be his first and since he also belongs to a conservative, right wing party.
M.A.
