JERUSALEM, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Venezuela have agreed to renew consular ties for the first time in 17 years despite the absence of diplomatic relations, Israel's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
The agreement followed talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia, the ministry added.
Under the agreement, the two countries will establish a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to their citizens residing in the other country.
Relations between Israel and Venezuela, which severed diplomatic relations in 2009, began to thaw after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January and removed him from the country. ■
