The diplomatic mission of Israel in five countries, including Belarus, will close down by the end of 2016.
It has been reported by First Secretary, Deputy Head of the Embassy of Israel in Belarus Yulia Rachinski-Spivakov.
She recalled that in connection with the budgetary constraints, the Government of Israel decided to close five of its diplomatic missions. Mrs. Rachinski-Spivakov noted that the specific date of closure of diplomatic missions is yet to be discussed by the working groups, which will be formed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. These groups will also take a decision which of the embassies will represent the interests of Israel in Belarus.
“Given all of the above, I would very much like to emphasize the importance of Israel’s relations with Belarus, – the diplomat said. – On the agenda remain the issues of cooperation, working group meetings and the processing of bilateral agreements. We hope that the physical absence of an embassy will not affect relationships between our citizens.”
According to Rachinski-Spivakov, it is still unknown when the embassy staff will leave Belarus. The diplomatic mission has three Israeli diplomats, as well as 13 of the Belarusian staff.
The agreement on visa-free regime between Israel and Belarus entered into force in November 2015.
