US, Israel sign MOU on agro aid to Africa

Israel and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to increase cooperation on food aid to Africa, Ynet has learned. The memorandum, signed last week between USAID and the Israel Agency for International Development Cooperation (Mashav), which operates by proxy of the Foreign Ministry, is the first of its kind. Mashav Director Daniel Carmon described the MOU by saying: "This agreement is not the start of the relationship it's the continuing and the strengthening of the relationship." Both Israel and the US have a long history of providing aid of various natures to Africa and the current agreement aims to address the issue of food security in four countries: Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda. According to Carmon, the future aid package "will include assistance in help food production and crop cycles, as well as address various environmental issues that go beyond the agricultural sector." Carmon noted that "increasing cooperation with USAID is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do." The memorandum was signed in Washington. Carmon's statement to the press after the ceremony. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter