Israel and Venezuela announced Tuesday that they are renewing consular relations, establishing an official channel of coordination between Jerusalem and Caracas after diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed in 2009.

The agreement follows talks held in recent weeks and days between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia.

As part of the understandings, the two countries agreed to establish a coordination mechanism that will allow consular services to be provided to citizens of both nations. While Israel and Venezuela are not restoring full diplomatic relations at this stage, the move creates an official channel of communication between the two governments.

Israel and Venezuela also agreed to continue cooperating on emergency response and reconstruction efforts following damage caused by earthquakes in Venezuela.

An Israeli aid delegation was dispatched to Venezuela following the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24. The mission, led by Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Home Front Command, provided professional assistance to the country’s emergency response and reconstruction efforts.

The joint statement issued by Israel and Venezuela also emphasized the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and Venezuela’s Jewish community.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)