NICOSIA - The government upgraded on Friday the status of the Palestinian diplomatic representation in Cyprus from that of a diplomatic mission an Embassy of the State of Palestine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis said that “this important decision is in line with the recognition of the Palestinian State in 1988 by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus."
And she added: "It follows the relevant practice of seven other EU member states that have recognized the Palestinian State also in 1988, namely, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Malta."
Her Palestinian counterpart Riad al-Malki, who left the island on Friday evening after a one-day official visit, said that other countries should now follow Cyprus’ “historic decision”.
Nicosia opened a Representation Office in Ramallah in 2009.