Vietnam, Israel amend air transport pact to set scene for opening of direct flights

Ambassador of Vietnam to Israel Do Minh Hung (left) and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on December 22 sign a protocol amending the air transport agreement between the two governments. (Photo: VNA)

The signing was made by Ambassador of Vietnam to Israel Do Minh Hung and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem.

The move is expected to expand bilateral cooperation in the field and pave the way for the launch of direct flights to boost trade and tourism between the two nations.

Ambassador Hung and Foreign Minister Ashkenazi also discussed several key cooperation issues between the two sides, including ongoing talks on the Vietnam – Israel Free Trade Agreement and the launch of negotiations on a bilateral agreement on labour cooperation, particularly in agriculture.

The two-way trade reached 1.3 billion USD in 2020, higher than 2019’s figure despite impacts of COVID-19. The bilateral trade is projected to grow further next year if the pandemic is brought under control./.