PHOTOS: Mayor Barkat Returns from Paraguay Where He Represented PM Netanyahu

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat concluded an official visit to Latin America on behalf of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, during which he attended the inauguration of Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez. During the visit, he met with the Presidents of Colombia and Guatemala, as well as many former presidents and senior ministers, and discussed the expansion of cooperation and deepening of ties.

Barkat said, “I brought the blessings of the people of Israel to the President of Paraguay as he was sworn in at the Presidential Palace, and I thanked him for the deep friendship between our two countries. We spoke about strengthening our special relationship and further deepening our cooperation. I invited the President to visit Israel and Jerusalem.

During my official visit, I also met with Colombian President Ivan Duque and many foreign dignitaries and friends of Israel, as well as Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and outgoing Paraguayan President Horacío Cartés, who transferred their embassies to Jerusalem.

Economic cooperation between Israel and Latin America is very important. During my visit, I met with Paraguay’s Minister of Industry and Trade, the Minister of Technology and Communications, and with the Mayor of Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital. I was honored to visit the Israel-Paraguay Chamber of Commerce and meet with the heads of the local Jewish communities. I explained Israel’s point of view to local media outlets.

I thank the Prime Minister for putting his trust in me to carry out this important mission and am grateful to the Foreign Ministry and the Ambassador.”