Zelensky calls on Israel to ratify FTA with Ukraine

He said this at a meeting with Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Yuli Edelstein, the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state reported.

"The introduction of a free trade area can help double the trade turnover between the countries in the short term," Zelensky said.

In addition, the participants welcomed the traditionally active bilateral political dialogue and expressed hope that its high dynamics would be preserved after parliamentary elections in Israel.

The recent achievements in the development of bilateral relations over the last decade, including the annual growth of tourism, were also noted.

According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the parties said that since 2010, when the visa-free regime between Ukraine and Israel was introduced, tourist flows have increased by more than ten times.

Zelensky is on a working visit to Israel on January 23-24.

Negotiations on a free trade area between Ukraine and Israel began in 2015. On January 21, 2019, the countries signed the free trade agreement. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the document on July 11, 2019. President Zelensky signed the law on ratification of the agreement on August 6, 2019.

At present, the agreement has to be ratified by Israel.

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