URUGUAY ACKNOWLEDGE PALESTINE

URUGUAY ACKNOWLEDGE PALESTINE, The URGUAI WAS THE first country to recognize Israel in 1948.

Uruguay recognize Palestine as a contribution to peace, says Foreign Minister
The Government of Uruguay will recognize Palestine as an independent state early next year as a form of "contribution to peace in the Middle East, said today the Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Luis Almagro." We hope this decision is a step in the search for peace in that region of the world, "the chancellor said at a news conference.

Referring to statements by Israeli diplomats, who criticized the decision, Almagro said: "It is not surprising, because Israel's position is known."

"Achieving peace depends on the willingness of both parties. For negotiations to succeed, must be equivalent to, and so far not happened," added the Uruguayan foreign minister.

Almagro said "not necessarily" the recognition of Palestine, Uruguay will be in line with those made by Argentina and Brazil, which earlier this month decided to recognize the Palestinian state along 1967 borders.

"We are studying the issue and its variants," said the Uruguayan Foreign Minister.

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are partners in Mercosur.

Bolivian President, Evo Morales, announced on December 17 that his government this week sent a letter to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) "the recognition of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state."

The foreign policy chief of the ANP, Riyad al-Malki, a visit made last April to Uruguay, where he agreed to open representative offices in Montevideo and Ramallah.
Uruguay was the first country to recognize the State of Israel and housing Montevideo large and influential Jewish community, whose members include several positions, including three government ministers.