Moldovan deputy premier meets Israeli foreign minister

Chisinau, Aug. 8 /MOLDPRES/- The head of Moldovan diplomacy, Nicu Popescu, today hosted Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel Eli Cohen, the MAEIE press service has reported.

Meir Porush, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Tradition, and Eliyahu Revivo, Knesset member of the State of Israel, were part of the delegation.

The officials discussed concrete projects and initiatives. We want to start negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, as well as a bilateral agreement on cutting roaming charges.

"At the same time, I welcomed that the agreement on the exchange of driver's licenses will be signed soon.

We are dedicated to increasing bilateral trade and attracting Israeli investment to our economy. We invited Israeli airlines to start flights to and from the Republic of Moldova. We are interested in cooperation in the energy, agriculture, water management, transport and security", said Nicu Popescu.

The ministers also discussed the Moldovan diaspora in the State of Israel, welcoming the completion of negotiations on a protocol to the agreement on the temporary employment of workers from the Republic of Moldova in certain sectors in the State of Israel, a protocol that will eliminate intermediaries and excessive payments and will legalize all aspects.

The religious pilgrimage to Uman in Ukraine was addressed. In this context, the authorities will offer, as far as possible, the necessary support to the people who will transit the territory of the Republic of Moldova, in coordination with the Ukrainian side.

Cooperation in the justice was also an important issue on the agenda of the visit, with the relevant ministries of the two countries already preparing to sign an agreement on mutual legal assistance, in the interest of the citizens of both states.

"We discussed the security situation in the region, including the unjustified war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. I emphasized that the Republic of Moldova respects the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine and condemns the Russian aggression in the strongest terms. We also addressed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the peace process and the importance of dialogue to identify a lasting peace solution.

We talked about the commitment of the Republic of Moldova in preserving the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and in combating anti-Semitic manifestations, both domestically and internationally", concluded the Moldovan official.

Photo: MAEIE