During a visit to Latin America, Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin met with incoming President Horacio Cartes on Wednesday and participated in the inauguration ceremonies of the new government, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister’s Bureau reported.

Paraguay is ready to re-open its embassy in Israel in the next few weeks, confirmed President Cartes. The president expressed his great appreciation for the State of Israel and stated that he intends to continue his country's independent policy of supporting Israel in the international arena; in contrast to the current stance of the majority of countries in Latin America. 

Paraguay was one of the only countries on the American continent that did not support the Palestinian Authority's unilateral move to upgrade its status in the United Nations.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the danger of global terrorism in general and radical Islamic terrorism in particular, which is typically supported by Iran. It was agreed that close cooperation between the two countries was necessary to cope with this danger.

In meetings with the new senior ministers, the ministers expressed their desire to visit Israel in the near future. 

Earlier, Dep. FM Elkin met with leaders of the Jewish community in Paraguay and heard from them about community life and their relationship with the State of Israel. Elkin stated that as an immigrant himself, from the Ukraine to Israel, he is well aware of the importance of the connection between the State of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

The Jewish community leaders emphasized the great importance of the delegation's visit to Paraguay, and thanked Dep. FM Elkin for meeting with them.