TEL AVIV. – Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon initiated a phone conversation on Monday with his counterpart, Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arman Kirakosyan, Israeli MFA informs.

Ayalon thanked Kirakosyan for the friendly relationship, and mentioned the historical ties and cultural similarities between the two nations. He emphasized the importance Israel attaches to the continuous development of diplomatic relations and practical cooperation with Armenia.

He further stated that it would be his pleasure to visit Yerevan, and invited Arman Kirakossian to visit Israel.

“Ayalon reiterated the special sensitivity we, as Jews, feel regarding the Armenian tragedy,” reads the statement released by Israeli MFA.

Deputy FM Ayalon also noted that Israel supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to reach a negotiated resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.