(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman will leave today (Monday, 14 September 2009) on an official visit to Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. This is the first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to these countries since they declared their independence.
Tomorrow, 15 September, FM Liberman will meet in Zagreb with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, Foreign Minister Gordan Janderkovic, Parliament Chairman Luka Bebic and with the inter-parliamentary friendship association.
FM Liberman will arrive in Belgrade on Wednesday, 16 September, where he will meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Foreign Minister Vuk, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac and with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Prof. Dragoljub Micunovic. Ministers Liberman and Jeremic will sign a bilateral visa exemption agreement.
On Thursday 17 September, FM Liberman will arrive in Podgorica, where he will meet President Filip Vujanovic, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Foreign Minister Milan Rocen. Ministers Liberman and Rocen will sign a bilateral visa exemption agreement.
FM Liberman stated that this visit constitutes the continued implementation of the policy of developing new directions in Israeli foreign policy, which he announced upon taking office. "The Balkan states, as well as the African and South American states I visited recently, did not receive adequate attention in the past. My visit to the region is intended to strengthen the bilateral relations between the countries, and to reinforce and develop the economic relationship, which will also contribute to Israel's international standing.
FM Liberman is expected to return to Israel on Thursday night.