With the aim of ensuring optimal access for citizens of Eastern European countries to Israel's tourist sites, the government in Jerusalem has begun work on abolishing the visa regime. Draft bilateral agreements with Russia and Romania have already been developed and coordinated. Now, says Yitzhak Aharonovich, it is Ukraine's turn.
As reported to Deutsche Welle by the official representative of Israel's Ministry of Tourism, Shira Kave, the Israeli side hopes to start negotiations with Kyiv in the coming months, immediately after a similar agreement with Russia comes into force. Kave predicts that the new negotiation process will be quick, given the positive example of negotiations with Moscow and all previous contacts with Kyiv, which indicate mutual interest of the parties in optimizing the visa regime.
The radio notes that during 2007, 70,000 Ukrainian tourists visited Israel - almost 2.5 times more than two years ago. At the same time, interest in Ukraine from Israeli tourists is also increasing.