(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
FM Liberman emphasized the importance of the friendship between Israel and Canada after 60 years of diplomatic relations .
FM Liberman described the importance that Israel imparts to the special friendship with Canada, noting that not only was Canada one of the 33 countries who voted for the establishment of the state in the UN on 29 November 1947, but that the Canadian representative also played a central role in the passing of the resolution.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on 11 May 1949, the relationship has grown and flourished. The close relationship of the two democracies is multi-faceted, and includes political, economic, social, cultural, legal and academic relations. These relations are based on mutual support of the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law. FM Liberman emphasized the role of the Jewish community in Canada in the preservation and strengthening of the relationship.
The diverse relationship between the two countries is currently expressed by the free-trade agreement, the joint industrial R&D fund, and bilateral cooperation in many fields, including agricultural research, water treatment, internal security, legal cooperation, relationships between universities and cultural exchanges.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the bilateral relationship, various events emphasizing the special relationship are planned to take place in both Israel and Canada during the forthcoming year