Venezuela has abolished entrance visas for Palestinian visitors among a set of new agreements with the Middle Eastern country.
Venezuela became the first country to abolish visas for Palestinians carrying civil or diplomatic passports as part of talks in early December in Caracas between representatives of the two countries. Venezuela also committed itself to build a new hospital in Palestinian territory and made new agreements in the areas of health, education and tourism.
鈥淲e鈥檙e sending the world a very important message, because from Caracas a new stage is beginning for Palestine,鈥 said the Palestinian foreign minister, Riad-Al-Maliki.
Al-Maliki forms part of an official Palestinian delegation visiting Venezuela this month. The delegation is seeking to strengthen relations between the two countries following Palestine鈥檚 successful bid to have its diplomatic status upgraded to 鈥渘on-observer member state鈥 by the United Nations General Assembly.
Venezuela is the first country to be visited by a delegation from the new Palestinian entity, after the Chavez government showed strong support for Palestine鈥檚 UN bid and backed it during Israel鈥檚 recent 鈥淧illar of Cloud鈥 military assault on Gaza.
[Reprinted from .]