Palestine and Bolivia Sign Development Cooperation Agreement

Foreign Minister Riad Malki and his Bolivian counterpart Diego Pary Rodríguez signed an agreement on development cooperation between the Ministry, represented by the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency (PICA) and the Ministry of Development Planning of the State of Bolivia, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

The two ministers stressed the strong historical relations that bind the two peoples during a bilateral meeting followed by the signing of the agreement.

Maliki briefed his counterpart on the latest developments in Palestine and the efforts of the Palestinian leadership at the international level to confront the attempts of the US administration to liquidate the Palestinian cause through unilateral actions and adoption of the Israeli narrative of the conflict.

He also thanked his Bolivian counterpart for his country's support for the Palestinian cause in various circumstances and for Bolivia's defense of Palestine and its people in all international forums, especially in the United Nations, stressing Palestine's constant standing alongside Bolivia as well as meeting its call for expert support at all levels and within available possibilities.

Rodríguez stressed that the agreement signed between the two countries is a fundamental and essential start to the beginning of the strong cooperation between the two countries at all levels, pointing out that the Palestinian cause, for the Bolivian people, is a central issue and constitutes an essential part of the formation of Bolivian foreign policy.

He stressed that the start of actual and practical bilateral relations with Palestine through PICA and the Palestinian embassy in Bolivia is a source of pride for his country and he personally will follow the details of the course of cooperation at all levels.

The agreement will include cooperation in various fields of development, including agriculture, health, energy and others. Under the agreement, a number of activities and programs will be implemented to achieve the interests of the parties and meet the needs expressed.

PICA will cooperate with local partners to harmonize their human resources and expertise with the Bolivian needs expressed and the implementation of a number of programs over the next few months.