MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY, March 16, 2011 (WAFA) – The Republic of Uruguay Tuesday recognized a free and sovereign Palestinian state.

The recognition came during a meeting at the presidential palace of Uruguay between President Jose Mujica and Palestinian Ambassador to Argentina Walid Muaqqat.

Mujica handed the Palestinian ambassador the recognition statement which states that Uruguay recognizes a free and sovereign Palestinian state according to UN resolution 181, partition plan of 1947, resolution 3236 of 1974 and resolution 242 of 1967.

According to the statement, the recognition comes as a result of Uruguay’s belief in the peace process in the Middle East that will result in two states living alongside each other in a secure, peaceful zone.

Mujica passed his greetings to President Mahmoud Abbas saying that he has fulfilled his promise of recognizing the Palestinian state.

Abbas thanked Uruguay’s recognition of a Palestinian state, praising the bilateral relations between the countries and Uruguay’s support of Palestinian national rights.

R.S./F.J.