At the conclusion of the visit to Israel of Honduras Foreign Minister Dr. Edgardo Paz Barnica, a joint statement noted the satisfactory state of relations between the two countries in various fields. The visit of Dr. Barnica afforded both nations the opportunity of reviewing and deepening these ties. Text:
The foreign minister of Honduras, Dr. Edgardo Paz Barnica, accepted the Israeli government's invitation and visited Israel between 12-18 August. The Honduran foreign minister was received by Prime Minister Shimon Peres for a meeting. During the course of the discussion, the visitor delivered greetings from the president of Honduras, Dr. Roberto Suazo Cordoba, to the president of Israel, Mr. Chaim Herzog, via the prime minister. Minister Paz Barnica held a cordial discussion with the prime minister. The two discussed various matters related to the international arena, and matters of joint interest to the two nations.
There was also a frank and useful exchange of views with Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir and with senior foreign ministry officials.
During the working sessions, the two ministers held a friendly discussion of the situation and the peace initiatives in the Middle East. Similarly, discussions were held on the crisis in Central America and the multi-sided negotiations via the Contadore group, in which Honduras is a participant, to find a diplomatic solution to the problems facing that region.
After both sides' positions were presented regarding all these sensitive international issues, the two ministers expressed their hope that the processes of dialogue and negotiations underway in these two parts of the world would lead to the institution of a just and lasting peace.
The two ministers reviewed the relations between the two countries and expressed satisfaction with the excellent relations of understanding which exist between them. They stressed the intentions of their respective governments to make the relations even closer, by establishing diplomatic representations in the near future in both countries.
In order to study the possibilities for mutual cooperation in the fields of culture, trade, science, and technology, Minister Paz Barnica visited various institutions and met with prominent Israelis involved in these spheres.
The Israeli vice prime minister and foreign minister delivered to the Honduran foreign minister his greetings to the Honduran president, the Honduran government and its people, along with best wishes for peace and prosperity.
The Honduran foreign minister also visited Knesset speaker Shlomo Hillel, with whom he held discussions on diplomatic issues concerning both countries. The Honduran foreign minister told the Knesset speaker about the electoral process in his country, which will end with general elections on 24 November, and the significance of this process in strengthening and stabilizing democracy in Honduras.
Foreign Minister Paz Barnica presented the Knesset speaker with an invitation to send a delegation of observers from the Knesset to the elections in his country.
In conclusion, Honduran Foreign Minister Dr. Edgardo Paz Barnica expressed his deep satisfaction with the warm reception and the attention he and his party received from the Israeli people and government. He issued a cordial invitation to the vice prime minister and foreign minister of Israel to pay an official visit to Honduras.