Diplomatic Events

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 05 December 2022

"Panama Day" in Israel to strengthen the economic and commercial ties and to encourage investments between Israel and Panama, was held today at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv

Amb. Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of PROPANAMA: "The Government of Panama is interested in starting conversations on having a direct flight between Israel and Panama, to consolidate Panama's air connectivity as the leader in the region"

The Panama Mission to Israel offers all the benefits and opportunities that Panama has as a country in the field of investments, food production, high technology, and opportunities in the commercial and pharmaceutical sectors

Exciting News regarding the commercial and economic ties between Israel and Panama: today at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv, "Panama Day" was marked to strengthen the economic and commercial ties between the countries and to encourage investments. 

Amb. Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of PROPANAMA (The Export and Investment Promotion Authority of Panama), exposed that "The Government of Panama is interested in starting conversations on having a direct flight between Israel and Panama, to consolidate Panama's air connectivity as the leader in the region". Conda Nast Traveler has chosen Panama as one of the 22 best places to visit in 2022. Being asked about her vision 20 years from now, Amb. Carmen replied that "Panama is moving to green projects. 30% of our land and 30% of our oceans are protected. In 20 years from now, I would like to see green energy anywhere in the country". She added that "Our strategy is to bring investments to Panama and to become a hub for sustainable investments. Panama is sustainable in economic growth and attracts investors. Panama is a great place to establish investments. It is one of the most connected countries in the world with excellent quality of life".

Amb. Carmen emphasized that Panama has 5 of the top 10 ports in the region and the biggest airport in the region with 90 destinations in 39 countries. The Panama Canal and the ports have been operated throughout the pandemic and haven't been closed even for one day. "We also want to promote our gastronomy into the world. In Panama, we have the best coffee in the world and pineapples which are the sweetest in Latin America".

Eli Faskha President of Panama- Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture said in his detailed presentation that "Cybertech is coming back again to Panama.  CYBERTECH LATIN AMERICA will be held on May 17-18, 2023. Cybertech is the cyber industry’s foremost B2B networking platform conducting industry-related events all around the globe. It is a whole-encompassing industry that is not only about threats but also covers the scope of digitalization and opportunities in the realm of innovation.

 Faskha: "Panama is the most business oriented country in Central America. A modern and vibrant country. Best air connections in Latin America with low inflation, and a stable economy. It is easy to do business in Panama". As for Jewish life in Panama, Faskha noted that there are  5 synagogues in Panama City. More than 20 kosher restaurants, 3 congregations, and 2 Israeli-owned hotels. The Ambassador of Panama to Israel, Adis Urieta Vega, spoke about the strong relations between the two countries. Panama is interested in becoming a sustainable center for investments and is looking to increase cooperation with the State of Israel in technological and economic fields. 

The Panama Mission to Israel offers all the benefits and opportunities that Panama has as a country in the field of investments, food production, high technology, and opportunities in the commercial and pharmaceutical sectors. The whole mission was organized by PROPANAMA, Panama- Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and with the support of both Embassies, the Israeli Embassy in Panama, and the Panama Embassy in Israel. 

During Panama Day, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with the Israel Export Institute to promote trade between the countries. The memorandum of understanding is another strengthening step to the free trade agreement signed between Israel and Panama in January 2020.

Photo credit: Hagit Shalev on behalf of PROPANAMA.

Amb. Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of PROPANAMA.

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Written by Silvia G. Golan & Steven Aiello

Published: 02 November 2022

Turkish Republic Day Reception Marking 99 Years Held in Kfar Shmaryahu with Message from President Erdogan 

The Turkish Embassy in Israel held a Republic Day reception on Monday evening in honor of the 99th anniversary of the declaration of Turkiye as a republic. This celebration was particularly meaningful coming on the heels of the long Covid-influenced hiatus, as well as signaling the strengthening of Israel-Turkiye bilateral relations.

The evening opened with the playing of the national anthems of Israel and Turkiye by a Turkish-Greek duet.  A message from the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. President Erdoğan expressed gratitude to the friends of Turkiye celebrating the important milestone all around the world. The president offered prayers for those who died defending Turkiye throughout the years. 

Listing Turkish successes in the last century, President Erdoğan noted that Turkish foreign policy aimed to advance justice, peace and stability in the world, and provides inspiration to people all around the world seeking to escape from oppression. From the war in Syria to addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Turkiye plays a key role in advancing peace and stability in the region.

President Erdoğan explained that Turkiye’s constant striving for success were responsible for things like the largest social housing project in Turkish history, which is set to accommodate 6 million Turkish people. The president stressed the forward thinking nature of Turkiye, with 2053 and 2071 goals, punctuated by the recent production of Turkiye’s first locally produced electric cars. Summing up the emotions of all those celebrating, President Erdoğan concluded with best wishes for health, serenity and well-being for the Republic of Turkiye and its citizens.

Mr. Mehmet F. Sekerci, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Turkiye, welcomed all of the guests to the occasion on behalf of the embassy. Mr. Sekerci noted the incredible year of achievements in bilateral relations between Israel and Turkiye, including a historic visit by the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, following an invitation from President Erdoğan, and the mutual visits of foreign ministers, a meeting between Prime Minister Lapid and President Erdoğan at the UN in NY, and further visits to Turkiye by the Minister of Economy, Minister Ornibai, and the Minister of Defense, Minister Gantz (the first visit by an Israeli defense minister to Turkiye in over a decade). Charge d’Affaires Sekerci explained that the proliferation of high-level visits are the product of the rapidly warming ties between the countries, to be completed with the pending assigning of ambassadors in the respective countries.

Mr. Sekerci noted that beyond the political relationship, Turkiye and Israel maintain robust economic and cultural connections, with Turkiye constituting the 5th largest trade partner for Israel, and Israel representing Turkiye’s 15th largest trade partner, with the total trade volume expected to reach 10 billion USD by the end of the year. Moreover, plans are underway to hold the fifth meeting of Turkish-Israeli joint economic activity, and resume high-level meetings to coordinate energy cooperation.

Turkiye remains a key tourist destination for many Israelis, ranking as the number one spot for flights out of Ben Gurion for three consecutive months, July-September, with an anticipated 750,000 Israelis visiting Turkiye in 2022. Mr. Sekerci concluded his remarks by thanking the Turkish Jewish community for its contributions to Israeli-Turkish relations, and inviting the guests to a photo exhibition entitled “Synagogues of Turkiye” to be opened on November 17 at the Saraya Turkish cultural center in Jaffa.

Minister of Communications, H.E. Mr. Yoaz Hendel, spoke on behalf of the Israeli government. Mr. Hendel expressed appreciation for Turkiye reaching 99 years as a republic, and enthusiasm for the warming ties between the two countries. Mr. Hendel noted the country’s historic ties, as Turkiye was the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel when it was first founded. The minister expressed anticipation of further strengthening the ties between the countries in areas like agriculture, communications, health, tourism, and counterterrorism. The minister concluded his remarks with a toast together with Mr. Sekerci to the success of Turkiye and the flourishing friendship between the two nations. The guests then enjoyed dinner with authentic Doner and other Turkish delicacies. 

Among the distinguished guests in attendance were the Minister of Communications, H.E. Mr. Yoaz Hendel; Ambassador Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former director of Mashav; the honorary consul of Spain, Mr. Wadie Abu Nassar; the honorary consul of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Dmitry Shkaf; Mr. Matan Safran, the Israeli Economic Attache to Turkiye; Zali de Toledo, former cultural attache of Israel to Turkiye; Amer Saleh, President of the Arab Chamber of Commerce; Georgina Litvak - Corporate Account Manager - Hilton Tel Aviv; Flying Carpet CEO Eyal Kashdan, Izi Madem - Associate and Ceo - Easy Travel LTD, members of the Turkish Jewish community, and numerous diplomats and civil society leaders.

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the embassy of Turkiye and the people of Turkiye on the 99 year anniversary.

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Written by Prime Minister's Office

Published: 22 November 2022

Israel and Japan take first steps toward free trade agreement

PM Lapid: This year, we are also celebrating 70 years of relations between our countries, and this is further proof of their growing strength - diplomatically and economically.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid this morning, (Tuesday, November 22) agreed to a first step toward the signing of a free trade agreement between Israel and Japan.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid:

"This morning in Tokyo, we agreed to take a first step toward the signing of a free trade agreement between Israel and Japan, which means discounts for products and goods from Japan for the benefit of the Israeli market and increasing Israeli exports to Japan, the third-largest economy in the world.

“This year, we are also celebrating 70 years of relations between our countries, and this is further proof of their growing strength - diplomatically and economically.

“This is an important achievement for Israel's economy and Israel's standing in the world."

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Written by Spokesperson of the President's Office

Published: 31 October 2022

Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of  Moldova, H.E. Mr. Alexandr Roitman

Monday, 31 October 2022 / 6 Cheshvan 5783

President Isaac Herzog received the credentials today of the new ambassadors of Moldova, Ghana, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Mongolia, and for the first time, Palau, in a series of official ceremonies at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. The incoming ambassadors were welcomed by the IDF Band playing their respective national anthems and they inspected an IDF honor guard in the Ceremonial Plaza, after which they presented their letters of credence to the President in the Great Hall. The President held an audience with each ambassador, after which each ambassador signed the guest book. At the end of each ceremony, the Israeli national anthem was played.

The first ambassador to present his letters of credence to the President was the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Mr. Alexandr Roitman. The President congratulated the Ambassador on his promotion from serving as Moldova’s chargé d’affaires in Israel and noted that Israel and Moldova are marking thirty years of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Roitman extended Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s personal regards to the President and an invitation to visit Moldova.

Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Lydia Ofosua Amartey

The second ambassador to present her letters of credence to the President was the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Lydia Ofosua Amartey, previously Ghana’s deputy ambassador to Egypt. Ambassador Amartey extended the greetings of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom the President met at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in London. The President and the Ambassador discussed the potential for Ghanaian tourism and pilgrimages in Israel.

 Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Zimbabwe , H.E. Mr. Air Marshal (Rtd.) Shebba Shumbayawonda

 The third ambassador to present his letters of credence to the President was the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr. Air Marshal (Rtd.) Shebba Shumbayawonda, who has been serving as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Egypt since 2019. The President expressed his hopes for the expansion of relations in various fields.

Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of  New Zealand, H.E. Ms.  Zoe Coulson-Sinclair

The fourth ambassador to present her letters of credence to the President was the non-resident Ambassador of New Zealand, H.E. Ms. Zoe Coulson-Sinclair, who is concurrently serving as New Zealand’s ambassador to Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Jordan. The President and the Ambassador discussed Māori history and culture, and the President noted that his late father, the Sixth President, Chaim Herzog, made the first state visit by an Israeli head of state to New Zealand. The President and the Ambassador discussed the importance of strengthening relations between Israel and New Zealand in a variety of fields, including the fight against the climate crisis and environmental conservation.

Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of  Mongolia, H.E. Mr.  Munkhbayar Gombosuren

The fifth ambassador to present his letters of credence to the President was the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Munkhbayar Gombosuren, a former Mayor of Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian minister of construction and urban development, who is concurrently serving as Mongolia’s ambassador to Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The President and the Ambassador discussed possibilities for Israeli-Mongolian cooperation on environmental issues, including forestation.

Photo: President Herzog with Ambassador of Palau , H.E. Ms. Ilana Seid

The sixth and final ambassador to present her letters of credence to the President was the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Palau, H.E. Ms. Ilana Seid, Palau’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The President began by congratulating Ambassador Seid on making history as Palau’s first ambassador to the State of Israel. Ambassador Seid proudly told the President about her Jewish heritage as the granddaughter of a Jew from California who fought in the Canadian air force in the Second World War and later immigrated to Palau. The President thanked Palau for its international support for Israel, and they discussed ways for Israel to help Palau further in matters of agriculture, technology, and desalination. The President expressed concern about the impact of the climate crisis on Palau, including rising sea levels.

Photos: Kobi Gideon/GPO