ODESA, FEBRUARY 16th, 2012, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — Deputy Chairperson of Odesa Regional Council Oleksiy Goncharenko says Relations with Israel are first priority for Odesa, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

Mr Goncharenko stated today, 16 February, during his meeting with the Minister of Immigrant Absorption of Israel Ms Sofa Landver and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Ukraine Mr Reuven Din El.

“Relations with Israel are first priority for Odesa and Odesa region. History of Odesa is intimately intertwined with the history of the Jewish people and the history of Israel. As far as we know many eminent persons, those who laid the history of Israel, were from Odesa and Odesa Region”, said Mr Goncharenko.

“We are ready to collaborate and cooperate with Israel in all programmes, which Israel considers necessary. Also, Odesa Region will come up with various initiatives. As far as we are concerned, we will do our best to make our initiatives more and more valuable”, added the deputy chairman of the regional council.