A historic reinforcement of the capital's international status. The Jerusalem Municipality and the Israeli and Russian Foreign Ministries have signed a secret agreement.
A second world power opens a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem: Five years after the inauguration of the American embassy in Jerusalem, Russia will open an embassy branch in the center of the capital, as agreed in a secret agreement between the countries, a copy of which was obtained by "Israel Hayom."
The Jerusalem Municipality, headed by Moshe Leon, and the Russian Foreign Ministry recently reached a compromise agreement of historic significance. At its center is an official Russian commitment to plan, build, and operate a consular branch in the "HaMa'alot Parking Lot" complex in the heart of Jerusalem.
In exchange, the municipality will not expropriate the land in favor of the light rail line that is expected to pass through the area, and will seek other transportation solutions.
In addition, the municipality will allow the Russians to register ownership of a 100-meter-long area for the road to the future diplomatic compound. Jerusalem will also remove all its claims and demands from the Russian Federation, which for many years avoided paying taxes and levies on it as required by law. In addition, the parking lot on HaMa'alot Street will continue to operate until the construction of the embassy branch complex.
LONG NEGOTIATIONS
The official Russian compound will provide consular services to residents of Jerusalem and the region. In addition, it will have diplomatic residences, which will give the place a higher status than a consulate. According to the agreement, construction of the place will be completed within five years, with the possibility of extending the time period to a decade.
The agreement was signed on the last Jerusalem Day in the office of Mayor Moshe Leon, who, along with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, accompanied the tedious negotiations for the past six months.
The Russians were represented at the signing ceremony by the ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, and Sergei Makarov, who acted on behalf of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov. On behalf of the municipality, Director General Itzik Lari and Legal Advisor Eli Malka signed. The agreement was signed by the head of the Eurasia Division at the Foreign Ministry, Yuval Fox.
Source: Ariel Kahana - Telegram