SAN JOSE – Costa Rica and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) agreed to establish diplomatic relations, the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry said in a communiqué.

Although the date was not disclosed, the two parties said they would appoint their ambassadors soon.

According to Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno, the decision is part of Costa Rica’s policy to normalize diplomatic ties with the Arab world.

He added that it is part "of a foreign policy aimed at opening geographical and mental borders to reinforce Costa Rica’s intelligent reinsertion in the world."

An official press release from the Foreign Ministry said Costa Rican Ambassador Jorge Urbina and PNA Observer Riyad Mansur signed the agreement at Costa Rica’s Permanent Mission at the United Nations in New York.

The diplomatic links with Palestine come one year and a half after Costa Rica moved its embassy in Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. San Jose now has diplomatic relations with eight Arab countries, according to official sources.

120 states recognised the Palestinian state in 1988 – following the PLO Declaration of Independence.

On December 15, 1988, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 43/177 essentially recognising the state of Palestine and giving it observer status at the UN.

The formal admission to the UN would have given the fledgling state all powers given to member states, such as voting rights. But that move was not made since it was anticipated that the US would exercise its veto power. 

(Prensa Latina News Agency, La Nacion and Palestine Chronicle)