Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno, in New York last week for the 61st U.N. General Assembly, announced the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen, as well as increasing support for Costa Rica s bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos announced his support for Costa Rica, which is seeking a council seat for the Jan. 1, 2008-Dec. 31, 2009 term, during a meeting with Stagno Sept. 22.
Kuwait and Yemen also expressed their support, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Stagno also met with Syrian Foreign Minister Bashar al-Assad, but said reestablishing diplomatic ties has not yet been discussed. Costa Rica began renewing ties with Arab nations following its Aug. 16 decision to move its embassy from the disputed city of Jerusalem, which Israel claims as its capital, to Tel Aviv, in accordance with U.N. directives (TT, Aug. 18). Egypt and Jordan have already renewed ties with Costa Rica.
Asked last week whether support from Arab countries was one of the reasons for the embassy move, Arias said not necessarily, adding that the possibility of increased investment from moderate Arab nations was another motivation.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Miguel Díaz told The Tico Times the ministry is not yet prepared to reveal the complete list of countries that have promised their support to the Security Council bid, but said it includes Norway, Guatemala and Morocco.
