MOSCOW, December 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Israel reached a tentative deal on establishing a visa-free regime between the countries at consultations in Moscow on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
On September 16, the Israeli government approved a special commission's proposal to launch bilateral talks with Moscow to end visa requirements for Russians. The country's Foreign Ministry was also ordered to start similar talks with other former Soviet states.
Israeli authorities expect lifting visa requirements will triple tourist flows from Russia to 25 million people a year within the next three years. The Tourism Ministry has said that for every 100,000 tourists visiting Israel annually, 4,000 new jobs are created, and at least $100 million is brought to into the country.
