October 05th, 2021
On October 5-6, 2021, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog is paying a state visit to Ukraine at the invitation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Official negotiations between the Heads of State were held on October 5, 2021 in an atmosphere of mutual understanding. The Parties have held fruitful discussions, as well as exchanged views on a wide range of issues regarding Ukrainian-Israeli relations, and current international and regional issues.
The Parties noted with pleasure the dynamic nature of the development of Ukrainian-Israeli relations, the 30th anniversary of which will be marked at the end of this year.
The Presidents reaffirmed the desire of both countries to maintain active political dialogue and bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, investment, scientific and technical, cultural and humanitarian fields, and to encourage contacts between representatives of business, scientific and academic circles.
Ukraine and Israel also reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
In this regard, the Israeli Side expressed hope that through the international diplomatic efforts the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored in the near future.
The Parties positively assessed the implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement provisions, which entered into force on January 1, 2021 and expressed their hope that negotiations on the introduction of a free trade regime between the two countries in the field of services will follow.
The Parties stressed the importance of resuming the work of the Ukrainian-Israeli Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation as soon as the epidemic situation in both countries allows.
The Presidents of Ukraine and Israel also stressed the importance of coordinating efforts to overcome the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic through, inter alia, the prompt mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and welcomed bilateral cooperation in this area.
The Presidents of the two countries agreed to continue to encourage contacts between citizens and civil society organizations in order to expand and strengthen friendly ties and mutual understanding between the Ukrainian and Israeli peoples.
The Parties agreed to continue cooperation in order to preserve and enrich the cultural heritage and traditions of the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples.
The Israeli Side noted the systemic efforts of Ukraine to create appropriate conditions for Jewish pilgrims to visit historical and holy places on its territory and perform religious rites, including organization of the annual pilgrimage of Bratslav Hasids to Uman.
The Presidents of Ukraine and Israel together with other high-level delegations will participate in the events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre. In this regard, the Parties stressed the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and the importance of educational efforts at the national and international level to prevent a recurrence of such horrific crimes.
Special attention was paid to the role of the Righteous Among the Nations from Ukraine in the rescue of Jews during World War II.
The Ukrainian Side noted with gratitude President Isaac Herzog’s commemoration of the Holodomor victims in Ukraine.
The Parties stressed the importance of continuing educational efforts aimed at memorialization and spreading the information about the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.
The Parties committed to protect social rights of their citizens according to agreement reached by the Governments of both States.
The Heads of State strongly condemned all manifestations of chauvinism, intolerance, xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
The Israeli Side praised the efforts of the President, Government and Parliament of Ukraine in the fight against anti-Semitism in Ukraine, in particular, the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Counteraction to Anti-Semitism in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Isaac Herzog reaffirmed their mutual readiness to further strengthen friendly relations between the peoples of Ukraine and Israel.