Telephone lines established between Israel and Indonesia

The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening announced the establishment of a direct international telephone line that permits contacts between Israel and Indonesia in both directions.

In a statement, the Israeli ministry said the line was established "as part of measures to thaw trade and economic relations between Israel and Indonesia, and as a result of direct contacts between the foreign ministries of the two states."

Recently, the Indonesian foreign minister stressed that his government wishes to establish trade relations with Israel so as to have a say on the stand taken by the US Jewish lobby towards Indonesia.

Trade exchange between the two countries reached this year US $20 million.