Ukraine-Israel trade growing after launch of free trade area - Zelensky

He said this at a joint meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the media in Kyiv on Tuesday, October 5, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"On December 26, Ukraine and Israel will mark 30 years since the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Much has been achieved over the times of close cooperation. I am glad that we have managed to build such warm relations that are developing on the basis of interstate mutual understanding and trust and a warm, friendly atmosphere between the two nations. Israel is our friend, our great friend, our partner in the Middle East region from a political, security, trade, economic and humanitarian point of view," Zelensky said.

At the same time, he said that the potential for cooperation between the two countries has not been exhausted, and the entry into force of the free trade agreement opens up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

"We already see that the agreement is working, and mutual trade in goods is gradually growing. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, it gives us confidence in the full resumption of trade and exceeding these pre-pandemic indicators," Zelensky said.

The free trade agreement between Ukraine and Israel entered into force on January 1, 2021.

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