NEW YORK, March 9, 2017 (WAFA) – The Republic of Botswana and the State of Palestine signed on Wednesday a joint communique announcing the establishment of formal and full diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between their countries.

Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations Ambassador Riyad Mansour and Botswana’s Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Charles Thembani Ntwaagae signed the statement at the UN headquarters in New York.

The two countries said they signed this joint communique in their desire to promote and strengthen “the relations of friendship and cooperation exiting between the two countries.”

Commenting on this, Mansour said this communique, which strengthens the previous recognition by Botswana of the State of Palestine, is a step in the right direction to reach peace based on the two-state solution.

Ntwaagae, on the other hand, said the establishment of full diplomatic relations between his country and Palestine at the ambassadorial level affirms his government’s support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the necessity of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.

M.K.