Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders,

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Prime Minister Gaston Browne has instructed Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), to start diplomatic relations with Palestine.

Sir Ron has emphasized that this initiative goes beyond just recognizing Palestine as a state.

According to reports in Point Express, Sanders said “I have started the process, and we have received a positive response from Palestine in accordance with the Prime Minister’s request and in coordination with Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene.”

Antigua and Barbuda recently joined 143 other countries in voting in favor of a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, urging the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s application for UN membership.

While acknowledging that granting membership is within the General Assembly’s purview, contingent on the Security Council’s recommendation, the resolution urged the council to take action and enhance the rights of the State of Palestine as a Permanent Observer in the General Assembly.

Nine countries opposed the resolution, and 25 countries abstained. Sir Ron is hopeful that the entire process could be formalized within a few weeks, stating,

“The reason for this is that we want to engage with Palestine through diplomatic channels in a formal and informal manner, similar to how we engage with Israel. If we aim to promote a peaceful resolution, we cannot have diplomatic relations with one and not the other.”