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Russian diplomat: Relations between Moscow, Jerusalem at highest point ever

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu hold regular telephone conversations, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. Relations between Russia and Israel are at their highest point ever, Russian Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and African Countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said at a conference dubbed The 10th Convent of RISA (Russian International Studies Association): 25 years of Russia’s Foreign Policy, hosted by Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

According to the diplomat, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu hold regular telephone conversations. "This year bilateral contacts have been unprecedentedly intense," Bogdanov added.

"Russia’s leadership places great importance on boosting trade, economic and investment cooperation with Israel," he noted. "But unfortunately, turnover statistics are a bit disappointing though Israel remains of Russia’s biggest economic partners in the region. Given the unfavorable global economic situation and the strength of the United States dollar in relation to the Russian ruble, in 2015, our turnover with Israel dropped by 31% to $2.3 billion. At the same time, we have been constantly working to restore turnover to its previous level."

Bodganov stated that "it is no exaggeration to say that relations between Russia and Israel are now at their highest point ever."