Israel reopens embassy in Paraguay after 2002 closure

Israel reopened its embassy in Paraguay, after it was closed in 2002 due to financial constraints.

Former Foreign Ministry director-general Nissim Ben Shitrit, and Israeli ambassador to Paraguay Peleg Levy, were present at the opening ceremony in the country’s capital Asuncion on Tuesday. Paraguayan government officials, including Agriculture Minister Jorge Gattini were also present.

On Monday, Levy submitted the charter to reopen the embassy to Paraguay’s President Horacio Cortes.

Shortly after his inauguration in August 2013, Cortes declared his intention to continue supporting Israel in the international arena and reestablish an Israeli embassy at home. Paraguay reopened its embassy in Israel in May 2014, after it was closed in response to the Israeli closure.

Cortes spoke out against condemnations of Israel during last summer’s Operation Protective Edge against Gaza terrorist groups.

Israel and Paraguay have several cooperation agreements, including in the fields of anti-terrorism, trade and agriculture.

The countries also have free trade agreements as part of the South American Mercosur trade bloc, which is comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela

Paraguay uses an Israeli risk prevention system at its Itaipu Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric facilities in the world.

In terms of trade, Israel imports $200 million of meat from Paraguay as part of bilateral trade agreements, and the two countries have close cooperation in the fields of water, agriculture, education and health.

Recently, the two countries signed cooperation agreements in the field of agricultural technology.

 

Adiv Sterman and JTA contributed to this report.