This week the legislature approved in a second and final debate a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Costa Rica and Palestine that supports technical, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation activities, as reported in various Costa Rican media.

The original agreement was signed in 2013, but faced some legal hurdles in the legislature.

One vocal detractor, National Liberation Party (PLN) legislator Sandra Piszk, said to national media that the agreement with Palestine will not provide any benefits to Costa Rica, and, “Is a pretext to legitimize the terrorist organization which dominates Palestine and has rejected the peace accords [with Israel].”

The measure, which passed with 29 votes in favor, establishes specific programs and projects in areas of common interest, especially in social matters, education, health, culture, tourism, agriculture, science and technology to further governmental policies and programs, and within the technical and financial possibilities of each party.

Piszk also said, ”I do not understand how Costa Rica establishes relations or cooperation agreements with countries that have absolutely nothing to share and with which we should not have such agreements.” She says the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is an Islamic fundamentalist organization that was declared a terrorist organization by the USA, Israel, Japan, Canada, and Australia.

Those in favor of the agreement emphasize that cooperative work will include institutional strengthening of the country’s foreign service, the rights of children and the family in all its manifestations, as well as educational and professional exchanges of experts, researchers, professionals, and technicians.

The agreement between Palestine and Costa Rica includes joint research and development programs, internship programs, and seminars and conferences.