Bolivia joined Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay by announcing it recognized Palestine as a sovereign state within the 1967 borders, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported Friday.
Bolivian President Evo Morales made the announcement during the South American trade block Mercosur's summit which took place in Brazil. Morales was quoted as saying that Bolivia recognized the state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with Israel.
Ma'an news agency also reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement and thanked the Bolivian president for his support of the Palestinians. In response, the Foreign Ministry condemned the announcement, stating it would not assist the peace process.
"We oppose actions that might determine the results of negotiations before they started. A move like this does not encourage the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table," the statement said.
In the last two weeks more significant developments have occurred when several South American countries declared their recognition of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders. The first was Brazil, and Argentina and Uruguay followed.
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