Brasília – This Monday (15th), the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, made a plea to the Brazilian minister of Foreign Relations, Antonio Patriota, for the international community to work not only for peace in the Middle East, but also for the creation of an independent, autonomous State of Palestine. Patriota reiterated his country’s support to the Palestinian cause and said the participation of the United Nations (UN) is key to these efforts.
During the meeting, Abbas recalled that there are approximately five million Palestinian refugees around the world. They are adults, youths and children who can’t find the conditions to live in the region and thus seek shelter in other countries. Abbas gave thanks and reiterated the commitment of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the issue.
To the Brazilian government, the creation of the State of Palestine is crucial, as is the maintenance of the State of Israel as per 1967 borders. The topic is discussed in many of president Dilma Rousseff’s addresses at international events. She has mentioned the issue at the UN and in Peru, during a summit of Arab and South American heads of state.
Prior to meeting Abbas, Patriota met with the Palestinian foreign minister Riad Malki. Patriota stressed that the efforts must be maintained no matter the outcome of elections in countries in the region. Malki gave accounts of attacks on children, at schools, and on Palestinian farmers harvesting olives.
Malki gave thanks for the Brazilian support to the recognition of Palestine as an independent, autonomous state. The Palestinian said he was welcoming the Brazilian with joy and enthusiasm and asked him to maintain his cooperation with Palestine. This Monday, the Brazilian foreign minister will also meet with the chief negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat.
Patriota is in Ramallah, Palestine. In his talks, aside from peace-seeking efforts, he is passing on Dilma’s message for nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Brazil is championing the creation of a mass destruction weapon-free zone in the Middle East. This is the first visit of a Brazilian foreign minister since the country recognized Palestine as a State, in December 2010.
The foreign minister should also discuss cooperation projects in three areas – healthcare, urbanism and agriculture. Trade relations between Brazil and Palestine have potential to grow, according to the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
In 2011, when records started being kept, bilateral trade stood at US$ 15.8 million. In the first half of 2012 it reached US$ 10.6 million. A Mercosur-Palestine free trade agreement signed in 2011 will enable these relations to be boosted, according to Brazilian and Palestinian negotiators.
On Sunday (14th), Patriota wrapped up his visit to Israel. In his with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, he stated that Brazil is at his disposal to mediate for peace in the Middle East. He stressed that Brazil is a country with no enemies, thus it is able to collaborate with negotiations to end the conflict.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
