RAMALLAH, March 5, 2011 (WAFA) - President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, arrived in Ramallah Saturday for an official one day visit to the Palestinian Territory that will also take him to Bethlehem.
Chile recognized in January the Palestinian state and upgraded the Palestine mission in Chile to the level of embassy.
This is Pinera’s first visit to the Palestinian Territory, which includes Bethlehem where he will meet local officials and visit Aida refugee camp. He will also hold special mass at the Church of Nativity.
While in Ramallah, Abbas will decorate Pinera the highest Palestine Star medal. Both leaders will also inaugurate Chile Street, near Abbas’ headquarters.
Pinera arrived in Israel Thursday night. During a visit to the Mount of Olives in occupied East Jerusalem, Pinera defended his country’s decision to recognize the Palestinian state. He said that decision was aimed at helping push forward the stalled peace process.
'This trip has a purpose,” he said. 'It's a great opportunity for a Chilean president, representing the whole Chilean people, to make a contribution to the peace talks in order to achieve a state where both Israel and Palestine can live together in peace, and can prosper together with secure and internationally-recognized boundaries.'
He said that “Chile has recognized the state of Palestine because we want to contribute to the successful ending of the peace talks in order to have, finally, peace -- a real, secure and permanent peace -- in this Holy Land in the Middle East.'
Pinera, who already held talks with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, is expected to hold more talks with Israeli officials on Sunday.
Chile has the largest number of Palestinian expatriates in the world and the Palestinian community is largest minority in that South American country. There are around 350,000 Chilean-Palestinians, 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 is his first and because he belongs to a conservative, right wing party.
M.A.
