Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon and Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Transport Olexander Davydov today signed an aviation agreement between Israel and Uraine.

The agreement allows Israel to add a second carrier to the route between Israel and Ukraine and ends the need for the two countries to coordinate commercial activities and will intensify competition.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this is a step which strengthens bilateral relations between Israel and Ukraine and promotes cooperation between the two countries. The carriers operating on the Israel Ukraine route, two from each country, are: El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE:ELAL); Arkia Airlines Ltd.; Aerosvit Airlines; and Donbass Aero.

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorized negotiations with the Ukrainian government towards a visa abolition agreement. This step will promote tourism between the two countries.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 22, 2010

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