Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ended a 10-day visit to several African countries.
In Lieberman's first trip to Africa since 2009, he visited Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia. In a press release prior to his departure, Lieberman noted "Africa is a key objective in the foreign policy of Israel, and we will deploy political efforts so Israel can be admitted this year as an observer member of the African Union. Relations with African countries have strategic importance for Israel, from a security, political and economic point of view."
Some 50 business delegates will accompany Lieberman. Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman and his Kenyan counterpart announced last Thursday the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. Twelve years after direct flights from Israel to Nairobi stopped because of terrorist attacks against the Israeli-owned Paradise hotel and missiles fired at an Arkia airliner in Mombasa.
Liberman said that in addition to strengthening tourism between the two states, the flights, five a week that will begin in October, will serve as a transit point to and from other countries in Africa as well. Liberman: The direct flight were terminated because of terrorist attacks, their resumption is a “victory of life over terror.” The Kenyan government expects its trade with Israel to rise rapidly following plans by Kenya Airways to launch direct flights to Tel Aviv.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said the East African nation was in the process of making it easy for foreign companies to invest in Kenya. "The introduction of flights to Israel is anchored on the renewed economic interest in Africa, and will also open up the continent for tourists and trade, particularly in agriculture and technology."
