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World Jewish News
Belarus Expects Close Cooperation With the New Israeli Government
04.06.2009
Belarus expects to work closely with the new government of Israel. The statement was made by the Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov at a meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of
Israel, Avigdor Lieberman, who is on an official visit to Belarus until June 5, the "Belta" correspondent reports.
"We want to extend our cooperation with more economic interaction," said Sergei Martynov. "Historically, the relations between our peoples have always been good, we did not separate the Jews from the Belarusians, these are our
people," stressed the Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry. "We have an even relationship on the level of the people."
In turn, the Head of Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the dialogue between Belarus and Israel has always been
smooth and constructive on the interpersonal level. Noting that Israel has a very big Belarusian diaspora, he added: "We are waiting for even more constructive dialogue from Belarus."
According to Avigdor Lieberman, the only area of bilateral cooperation, which needs a qualitative leap - is the sphere of economy.
In 2008, trade turnover between Belarus and Israel amounted to $ 68.2 million (exports - $ 5.7 million, imports - $ 62.5 million). In January-April 2009, the volume of mutual trade totaled to $ 18.5 million (exports - $ 1.9 million,
imports - $ 16.6 million).
Israel consumes diamonds, petroleum products, food and light industry products.
Main items of import from Israel are insecticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, fruit and vegetable juices, fruit, coloring materials, medical equipment, food, sheets and films of polymers and plastics, and cermet products.
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