Israel preparing to ratify FTA with Ukraine in coming weeks

The corresponding statement was made by Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi in a conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informs.

"At the request of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, the Foreign Minister of the State of Israel assured that the new [convocation of] Knesset of Israel intends to ratify the Israel-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement in the coming weeks," the statement reads.

It is also noted that Kuleba congratulated his Israeli counterpart on the appointment to the post of the Foreign Minister of the State of Israel.

The ministers agreed to maintain friendly personal relations, further develop trade between the two countries, maintain a high level of political dialogue, and continue mutual support in international organizations.

Kuleba invited his Israeli counterpart, who had never visited Ukraine before, to pay a visit to our country as soon as circumstances allow. Ashkenazi accepted the invitation. In turn, Kuleba accepted the invitation of his Israeli counterpart to make a working visit to Israel.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Israel-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement was concluded on January 21, 2019. The Ukrainian side completed the ratification procedure on August 6, 2019, and the ratification by the newly elected Knesset (Parliament) of the State of Israel is expected in the near future.

According to experts, the full functioning of the Free Trade Agreement will double the trade turnover between the countries in the short term.

In 2019, the total trade turnover between Ukraine and Israel amounted to USD 1.1 billion.

The new Israeli Government was sworn in on May 17, 2020.

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