Dear Sirs, Madams,
It’s my pleasure and honor to address you at the Ukraine-Israel Municipal Summit within Muni World 2019 International Exhibition.
Among partners of Ukraine the special place is taken by our good friend in the Middle East – the State of Israel. There should be no doubts that Israel remains our very important international partner, both politically and economically.
During 27 years of Ukrainian independence and diplomatic relations between the two countries, an active and regular political dialogue on the actual bilateral and international issues has been established; mutually beneficial trade and economic ties and cooperation in culture, education and science have been developed.
The most vivid example of this was the recent visit of the President of Ukraine Mr.Petro Poroshenko to Israel in January this year. The most important bilateral and international issues were discussed during intense negotiations between Ukrainian President and the Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
The important event of this visit was the signing of Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and Israel.
The Agreement would create more predictable trading conditions between the two countries. Elimination of tariffs and barriers for the majority of goods will be beneficial for both countries and will create new opportunities, jobs, markets and will facilitate the improvement of the living standards. It will give a boost to the development of our economies.
So, the political dialog is becoming more intensive, economic ties are strengthening, cultural cooperation is deepening and, human relations are turning out to be more friendly and trustful. The new technologies, IT, cybersecurity, health care and pharmaceutics, space programs, banking and finance, construction and community facilities - are just some promising spheres of cooperation between Israel and Ukraine.
All these spheres of our relations can be and must be developed also on municipal level.
Today we have legal base for the cooperation between our cities. Just to mention twin cities agreements - Kyiv-Jerusalem, Odessa-Haifa, Kharkiv-Rishon Lezion, Chernivtsi-Nazareth Illit, Chernihiv-Petah-Tikva, Cherkassy-Petah-Tikva. Agreements between Zaporizhya – Ashdod, Vinnitsa- Bat-Yam are pending.
Almost 11 years ago, on March 12, 2008 an Agreement on cooperation between the Association of Ukrainian Cities and the Union of Local Authorities of Israel was signed. The documents provides for the further establishment of friendly and partner relations between cities of Ukraine and Israel.
But we must honestly admit– many of these agreements are not implemented by both sides. I think the visit of such representative delegation of Ukrainian cities headed by the Head of Association of Ukrainian Cities, Mayor of Kyiv Mr. Vitaliy Klitschko will contribute greatly to the renewal of productive partnership between the cities of Ukraine and Israel.
The participation in such big and amusing exhibition as MUNI WORLD 2019 shows us that our cities are facing now new and difficult challenges of modern world. The adequate answer to these challenges can be found only by the introduction of new scientific and technological achievements. Cooperation with Israel, as the one of the leading country in advanced technologies, will certainly help in modernization of Ukrainian municipal infrastructure.
Urban security, smart city projects, transport and energy infrastructure of tomorrow, managing of emergencies – that only few sectors where we can do a lot together.
With real proud I should note the participation of the Ukrainian enterprise “Ozon S” in this exhibition which presented world level unique innovative products.
Let me express the confidence that this event will serve for the future strengthening of Ukrainian-Israeli mutually beneficial relations, especially on municipal level.
Thank you for your attention.