To His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas
President of the Palestinian National Authority
Mr. President,
I have carefully read the letter of 24 November, by which Your Excellency asks Brazil to recognize the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
As Your Excellency knows, Brazil has historically advocated, particularly under my government, the achievement of the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people for a cohesive, secure, democratic, and economically viable state, coexisting in peace with Israel.
We have endeavored to promote peace negotiations, to seek stability in the region, and to alleviate the humanitarian crisis that affects a great part of the Palestinian people. We condemn all terrorist attacks committed under any pretext.
In recent years, Brazil intensified its diplomatic relations with all the countries in the region, for example by the opening of new posts, including a Representative Office in Ramallah; by more frequent high-level visits, as exemplified by my visit to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan last March; and by the deepening of trade relations, as demonstrated by a series of free trade agreements, already signed or currently under negotiation.
Through bilateral contacts, the Brazilian government has taken note of the successful efforts of the Palestinian National Authority to invigorate the West Bank economy, to provide services to its population, and to improve the conditions of security in the Occupied Territories.
Considering that Your Excellency’s request is just and in accordance with the principles that Brazil has defended on the Palestine Question, Brazil, through this letter, recognizes the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
In doing so, I wish to reiterate the understanding of the Brazilian government that only dialogue and peaceful coexistence with neighbors can truly advance the Palestinian cause. I am sure that this is also the view of Your Excellency.
The recognition of the Palestinian state is part of the Brazilian conviction that a process of negotiation that results in two states coexisting in peace and security is the best path to peace in the Middle East, the goal that interests all humanity. Brazil will always be ready to render any assistance necessary.
I wish Your Excellency and the Palestinian National Authority success in guiding a process that leads to the construction of the democratic, prosperous, and peaceful Palestinian state to which we all aspire.
I take this occasion to reiterate my highest regard and consideration for Your Excellency.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the President of Brazil. The original Portuguese text of the letter is available at the Web site of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil (published on 3 December 2010). Translation by Yoshie Furuhashi (@yoshiefuruhashi | yoshie.furuhashi [at] gmail.com). See, also, “Reconhecimento do Estado Palestino nas Fronteiras de 1967 / Recognition of the Palestinian State along the 1967 Borders” (Ministry of External Relations of Brazil, Note 707, 3 December 2010).
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