Oleg Vyshniakov - Ukraine and Israel. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers budget increasing possibility on humanitarian projects for Ukraine.

On November 2, 2015 within his working visit to Israel, Oleg Vyshniakov, the Honorary Consul of the State of Israel, had a meeting with Tzipi Hotovely, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Oleg Vyshniakov and Tzipi Hotovely discussed the importance and prospects for cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.

“I’ve always said that Ukraine is a good friend of Israel. Our peoples are very alike and current situations in both countries are very similar to each other. It is necessary to help and support each other. It is very important that Israelis understand that each dollar invested in Ukraine is an advance for congenial investment climate and mutually beneficial co-operation”, the Horary Consul stressed.

Oleg Vyshniakov talked about the programs that were already realized with the support of the Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in Western region of Ukraine: direct flight Lviv-Tel-Aviv-Lviv, operated by the Ukrainian International Airlines, program on cooperation with the best Israeli psychologists and recreation therapists who give free trainings on dealing with those suffered in combat operational zone for Ukrainian colleagues. Special attention was paid to rehabilitation and treatment of the Ukrainian military in Israeli hospitals, as well as recreation in Israeli recreation centers of Ukrainian children suffered from the ATO.

Oleg Vyshniakov underlined the importance of such initiatives and assistance in realization of similar projects. Ms. Hotovely promised to find possibility and allocate a budget for the development of humanitarian programs in Ukraine.

The Honorary Consul and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed opportunities and possibilities of cooperation between Ukraine and Israel in the agricultural sector, in IT and tourism, the issue of a free trade zone development between the two countries.

During the meeting the Deputy Minister, Tzipi Hotovely asked about the issue of Jews and anti-Semitism in Ukraine.

Oleg Vyshniakov assured the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs that Ukraine is the land of tolerant multicultural people and very friendly-minded to all nations and peoples. “I invite you to visit Western Ukraine and make sure that Lviv is one of the most promising, beautiful, stable and comfortable cities. Visiting Lviv you have a feeling that you are in Europe. There are cozy coffee houses, quiet streets; there is smell of coffee and chocolate in the air. The atmosphere is friendly and hospitable” Oleg Vyshniakov said.