​(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
 
President Reuven Rivlin this morning (Monday, 18 July 2016) hosted at his residence, an official welcoming ceremony for President of Paraguay, H.E. Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara, making the first state visit by a president of Paraguay to Israel. President Rivlin welcomed his guest on the red carpet as the two Presidents stood for the national anthems, reviewed a guard of honor, before going on to deliver brief public statements.
 
"This is an historic visit, the first visit of a president of Paraguay here in Israel," began President Rivlin. "Paraguay has been and remains a true friend of Israel since the foundation of the State of Israel, and even before, when it voted in favor of the establishment of Israel on the 29th of November, 1947. We are pleased to see the strengthening of ties between our countries, and I hope that your visit here will serve to further deepen these good relations."
 
The President continued, "Since our embassy in Paraguay was reopened, it has served as an important cornerstone for all Israel's activity in Latin America and in Mercosur in particular. In the last years we have succeeded in strengthening our ties in a number of fields such as economy, science, technology, trade, and security. Today, Israel is assisting many states in the development and efficient production of food sources. Israel is willing and able to utilize its experience in the development of agricultural infrastructure in Paraguay too, which is indeed a country with fertile soil. Experience, knowledge, and cooperation can change the world. Paraguay is a country with a young population - like Israel - looking to the future."
 
President Rivlin concluded by wishing President Cartes a fruitful and successful visit and said, "I hope that beyond the official meetings you have scheduled you will have a chance to visit Jerusalem, the city holy to three faiths, and tour the land of Israel, the land of the Bible. Here, one can touch history."
 
President Cartes of Paraguay thanked President Rivlin for his warm welcome and said, "This is an emotional and historic visit for all of us, and we are excited and delighted to visit Israel, a friend of Paraguay. My visit is an opportunity to strengthen the ties between us which go back to the birth of Israel, yet are no less thanks to the values we share."
 
He added, "Israel stands out in its ability in agriculture and agri-tech, and we are interested in working to share knowledge and technologies which will contribute to the development of our country and its young population. We often look too much at trade statistics and figures and not enough at our shared values. We are a state which voted for the establishment of Israel in 1947, but we are much more than that. In truth it is not such good news that this is only the first visit of a Paraguayan president to Israel, something which makes my visit of even greater importance."
 
Following their statements, the two Presidents went on to hold a working meeting during which they discussed the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. Later they would address a state dinner held in honor of President Cartes' visit.