The Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem following talks between President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Israeli regime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a joint declaration issued by the two sides.

The declaration followed Tshisekedi's visit to Jerusalem on Sept. 1, during which the two leaders agreed to strengthen diplomatic relations and expand cooperation in security, agriculture, technology, health, investment and other sectors.

Under the agreement, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Israeli regime will continue consultations on relocating the Congolese embassy to Jerusalem, while the Israeli regime is expected to open a resident embassy in Kinshasa. No timeline has been announced for implementing the decisions.

If completed, the move would make the Democratic Republic of the Congo one of a small number of countries with embassies in Jerusalem. Most governments continue to maintain their diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv, arguing that the status of Jerusalem should be determined through negotiations between the occupation regime and the Palestinians.

The occupation regime claims Jerusalem as its capital, including occupied East Jerusalem, a position that is not recognized by much of the international community. The United Nations maintains that the city's final status should be resolved through a negotiated settlement between the two sides. (ILKHA)