Putin, Netanyahu Express Commitment to Further Development of Russia-Israel Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation on Friday and expressed commitment to further development of the Russia-Israeli relations, the Kremlin press service said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia and Israel maintain an active political dialogue, holding regular political consultations. There are also regular delegation exchanges at various levels.

"Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu with his birthday and the Jewish holiday of Sukkot celebrated these days. The leaders also exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary [October 18] of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Russia and Israel and expressed commitment to further development of the multifaceted bilateral cooperation," the press service said.

The USSR and Israel established diplomatic relations in May 1948, then broke them off in June 1967. In 1987, consular relations were resumed, followed by the full resumption of diplomatic relations in October 1991. In December 1991, an Israeli Embassy in Moscow and a Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv were opened.

Russia and Israel have signed 19 intergovernmental agreements and work to improve the legal infrastructure of Russian-Israeli cooperation. Israel is an important trade and economic partner for Russia, with bilateral ties in industry, agriculture, high technology and more.