Mykola Tomenko: Visa-Free Regime between Ukraine and Israel will facilitate learning of the both Countries History and Development of the People´s Diplomacy
On Wednesday, Mykoal Tomenko, the Deputy Chairman of the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met Stas Misezhnikov, Israel Minister of Tourism, who
stays with the official visit in Ukraine.
The Participants of the meeting discussed the issue on broadening of the contacts sphere of Ukraine and Israel people through the further development of the tourist sphere.
According to the Israel Minister of Tourism, visa-free regime will facilitate the development of tourist relations between two countries. He also announced that the agreement would be signed as soon as possible.
M. Tomenko emphasised that Ukraine is interested in such decision as, "first of all, Ukrainian and Israel people would be able to satisfy their interest in history, in Christianity history first of all and second of all, even the Church is interested in the support of the existing traditions."
According to M. Tomenko, Ukraine has a lot to show to the Israel tourists: they are history monuments and "nostalgic places for those who immigrated to Israel from Ukraine." The Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also briefed the visitors on the famous tourist places in Ukraine as, for example, biosphere reserve "Askania-Nova" that entered a semi-final of the contest "7 New Wonders of Nature"
M. Tomenko also pointed out the attention to the famous and popular action in Ukraine "7 Wonders of Ukraine» and presented the third stage of the popular action "7 Wonders of Ukraine" "7 Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces." Presenting the new project, Mykola Tomenko declared that the action "7 Tourist Routes" that commenced last year is still in action now. "The materials we have for the present moment proves that we still are only on the beginning stage of the formation of such economic-grounded and organizationally-proved routes that may be competitive even with the European tourist routes", he announced.
The Israel Minister briefed that for the last year there were more than 40 thousand tourist in Ukraine and in Russia this figure comprised more than 400 thousand visitors. He predicts approximately the same increase rate of the visitors in Ukraine under the condition of visa-free regime. He is convinced that it is extremely necessary to help people, Ukrainians by origin to visit native places and form the favourable conditions for the business and investments. S. Misezhnikov emphasised the necessity of the involvement of Ukrainian and Israel businessmen into the numerous economic forums and exhibitions for the further investment into the different projects on the territory of both countries.
The participants of the meeting also emphasised the necessity of the conduction of the relevant broad advertisement campaign in Ukraine and Israel. According to S. Misezhnikov such campaign would have positive impact on the broadening of the contracts, quantity of the transportations and reduction of the prices on air tickets.
The Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed readiness to facilitate and assist any initiatives of the Israel Part regarding the tourist business in Ukraine.