Israel and the European Union reach a mutual agreement on the Covid passport

The European Union and Israel have reached a mutual agreement to recognize certificates of vaccination against the Covid virus. Joining the European Union’s Covid digital certification program will facilitate travel between Israel and the European Union and can renew incoming tourism. A joint announcement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Ministry of Health stated that an agreement had been reached with Israel’s ambassador to the European Union in Brussels. The agreement is based on a technical infrastructure that will transmit information about those who have been vaccinated and ensure that the certificates are valid. All required technical aspects must be completed by the beginning of October, and according to the details of the agreement, Israelis with an Israeli vaccination certificate will have access to the European Union’s green passport system, which allows entry to restaurants, entertainment venues, public institutions and the like, in line with Covid instructions in each country separately. Mutual recognition will facilitate the path of Israeli tourists and businessmen visiting the European Union and pave the way for Israel’s reopening to European tourists. Outside the EU, the agreement will provide those vaccinated Israelis access to other countries that have joined the EU’s Covid digital certification program (at present Morocco and Turkey). The EU-Israel Mutual Agreement does not supersede the separate requirements imposed by EU Member States and Israel regarding the entry of foreign nationals with regard to vaccinations, COVID tests and isolation. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates between Israel and the European Union is an important step in paving the way for a return to routine in all matters relating to aviation and tourism links between Israel and the European Union. “This will allow a significant relaxation in air, tourism and economic relations,” Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz added. Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – September 15, 2021 Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2021