Chronology of diplomatic relations

Diplomatic relations with Georgia were established on 1 June 1992.

Ambassadors of Georgia to the State of Israel :

Lasha Zhvania, 15.03.2005-at present

Revaz Gachechiladze, 15.02.1998-19.02.2004

Ambassadors of the State of Israel to Georgia :

Shabtay Tsur, 18.01.05-at present

Rivka Cohen, 03.09.01-18.01.05

Ehud Eitam, 24.04.98-03.09.01

Lily Hahamy     1996-24.04.98

Baruch Ben-Neria 26.06.93-1996

Fields of co-operation

·        Regular bilateral and multirateral political dialogue.

·        Cooperation between the legislative bodies. Parliamentary Groups of Friendship have been established in both countries.

·        Cooperation in the fields of Culture and Education:

-Introduction of Georgian Culture, its traditions to the Israeli society, which among with other factors will promote to raise the number of Israeli visitors to Georgia ;

- Protection of Georgian cultural heritage in Israel ;

- Georgian language TV and Radio Broadcasting in Israel ;

- Training of Georgian specialists in the courses organized by "Mashav"- Center for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Economic co-operation

Main directions of cooperation for the promotion of trade and economic relations:

• Attraction of Israeli Capital
• Trade promotion
• Introduction of tourism capabilities of Georgia .

Trade turnover between Georgia and the State of Israel between 2000 and 2007

                                    in thousand USD

Investment

Israeli investors express increasing interests towards Georgia .

Foreign direct investments from Israel :

 in thousand USD

Tourism

The number of Israeli visitors to Georgia in 2007 were increased by 44 percent in comparison with the year 2006 and composed 16,5 thousand. 

Most significant visits and meetings

Exchange of visits

From Georgia

14-15 May 2008, Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili to the State of Israel

22-24 October 2007, Official visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gela Bezhuashvili to the State of Israel

31 October- 1 November 2006, Working visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili to the State of Israel

28-29 July 2004, State visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili to the State of Israel;

26-29 October 2003, Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Irakli Menagarishvili to the State of Israel ;

23-27 June 2003, Official Visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Mrs. Nino Burjanadze to the State of Israel ;

20-23 January 2003, Official visit of the State Minister of Georgia Mr. Avtandil Jorbenadze to the State of Israel;

5-7 January 2000,Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze to the State of Israel ;

29 November-4 December 1998, Official visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Mr. Zurab Zhvania to State Israel;

13-14 January 1998, Working visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze to the State of Israel;

17-19 June 1995, Official visit of the Head of State Mr. Eduard Shevardnadze to the State of Israel.

From Israel

25-26 January 2001, Official visit of President of the State of Israel Mr. Moshe Katsav to Georgia ;

22 March 1999, Working visit of the Primer Minister of the State of Israel Binyamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ariel Sharon to Georgia ;

7-11 September, 1998 Official visit of the Vice Primer Minister and the Minister of Tourism of the State of Israel Moshe Katsav to Georgia .

Legal framework

Georgia and Israel have signed eighteen bilateral documents, among them:

·        Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the State of Israel for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments.

·        Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the State of Israel ;

·        Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of a Joint Bilateral Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel.

Link

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel: http://www.mfa.gov.il