The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will open a diplomatic and trade representative mission in Jerusalem, according to Felix Tshisekedi, president of the DRC.

Mr Tshisekedi, who is the current African Union (AU) chairperson, held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem on Thursday to this effect, according to an announcement from Mr Bennett’s office.

The statement quoted the DRC president as saying that his country would be opening a diplomatic and trade representative in Jerusalem, and that he was in support of “Israel’s accession as an observer to the AU and is working to this effect.”

For his part, Mr Bennett thanked Mr Tshisekedi for “his deep friendship with Israel,” with the two leaders also discussing “strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, communications, and trade,” the statement added. 

During his five-day visit to Israel, Mr Tshisekedi also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and paid a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. 

(Xinhua/NAN)