President Reuven Rivlin meets with the president of Togo Faure Gnassingbé. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

President Reuven Rivlin meets with the president of Togo Faure Gnassingbé. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

Israel is working to develop business and diplomatic relations with African and Asian countries as it moves away from Europe.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé during his visit to Israel to discuss cooperation between the two countries.

“Our ability in agriculture, together with our technological capabilities has led us to many achievements. I know the great efforts you are making in these fields and we are proud of the many Israelis who are investing in your country,” Rivlin told his counterpart from Togo.

Rivlin thanked Gnassingbé  for standing with Israel and reiterated the state’s commitment to work with Africa on humanitarian issues and initiatives stating that Israel and other European countries recognize that “Africa is the future.”

Gnassingbé said he was “moved and inspired anew” by Israel’s infrastructure and growth.

“The people of Togo admire what Israel has achieved, an admiration shared by many nations in Africa and around the world,” he said.

He later met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told him that Togo is “very important for Israel,” as is the rest of Africa.

He thanked the country for its support of Israel at international forums. “You have been friendly to us and have consistently supported not only Israel – you have made a stand for the truth time and again. We remember our friends and appreciate them.”

He stressed Israel’s commitment to seek a better shared future with Africa.

Netanyahu’ recently made an historic visit to several east African nations and has made renewing Israeli-African relations a priority, including strengthening economic ties.

By: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff

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