In a message congratulating Portuguese Socialist Premier Mario Soares on his assumption of office, Premier Yitzhak Rabin expressed the hope that relations between Israel and Portugal “will develop to our mutual satisfaction.” There has been some optimism here as to the prospect of Soares’ regime establishing full diplomatic ties with Israel. At present only consular relations exist between the two countries–the situation that pertained during the Salazar regime.
Recently a top Portuguese Socialist Party official visited here as guest of Israel’s Mapai Party and this heightened speculation that a possible upgrading of relations was in the offing. Officials say, however, that the issue was not specifically broached with the visitor.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
