Ramallah: Cyprus has recognised the Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the Palestinian National Authority highlighting the importance of such a recognition, but the move has angered Israel.
Only a day before Cyprus, Paraguay recognised the Palestinian state within 1967 borders along with five other countries from South America namely Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Chile and Peru have also recognised the Palestinian state but without specifying the borders.
A 12-member delegation of the Chilean Parliament, visiting the Palestinian Territories, vowed to do what is necessary and fight for preventing their government to sign a free trade exchange treaty with Israel.
Addressing a press conference at the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Chilean delegation said that the 1967 border lines should be the basis for the Chilean recognition of the Palestinian state.
Marcelo Diaz, a member of the Chilean Parliament, said that his country in coordination with the other countries, which recognised the Palestinian state, will boycott the products of the Israeli colonies.
Ivan Moreira, a member of the Chilean Parliament, promised the Palestinian people to be their spokesman in Chile and the other international institutions, calling Israel to end its occupation in the Palestinian Territories.
"We fully support the Palestinian people and call on the international community to recognise the Palestinian state," he said.
"The international community cannot keep silent and give up its responsibilities," he said, stressing that there cannot be progress, freedom or development under occupation.
Dr Riyad Al Malki, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an official statement that the decision of Cyprus and other countries, which have recognised the state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, supported the Palestinian people and leadership in achieving their national goals.
Azzam Al Ahmad, who heads the Fatah Block at the Palestinian Legislative Council, said that more countries are likely to recognise the Palestinian state in the coming days.
Dr Al Malki said the Palestinian leadership is working on two main objectives including setting up of Palestinian institutions and getting the Palestinian state recognised by as many countries as possible.
He said the Palestinian leadership is also working through all possible channels to secure a resolution from the UN Security Council condemning the Israeli colonial activities in the West Bank and occupied east Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the EU states of France, Spain and Ireland have upgraded Palestinian missions to embassies.
The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Monday that the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Malta, Luxembourg, Austria and others are considering similar moves.
