(Communicated by the Knesset)

A cooperation agreement was signed at the Knesset on Wednesday between Speaker of Knesset Yuli-Yoel Edelstein and Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya Justin Muturi. Before the signing there was a meeting between the two men with MK Merav Michaeli (Labor), MK Penina Tamanu-Shata (Yesh Atid) and MK Shimon Solomon (Yesh Atid).

The Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly also met with Director General of the Knesset Ronen Plot to discuss the projects that are at the heart of the cooperation deal.

At the signing ceremony, the Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly said, "I thank the Speaker of the Knesset for his hospitality and I believe that we will succeed in creating true cooperation between the two parliaments. I very much hope for this. Already today, in the Knesset, we will discuss cooperation as this very successful visit to Israel continues."

Speaker of the Knesset Edelstein said, "I welcome the guests in their visit to the Knesset and I very much hope for a continuation in the cooperation as expressed in the agreement that we signed, both with the help of the Members of Knesset who were involved and with the help of the Director General of the Knesset and his professional staff. On a different matter, it is important to mention the complex efforts of Kenya in dealing with terror threats and the threats of extremist organizations. I have great admiration for Kenya on this matter."

The principles of the agreement establish that the two parliaments believe that strong relations and cooperation between parliaments will contribute to understanding between nations and to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation. "The joint values of democracy and tolerance create fruitful room for the promotion of initiatives for inter-parliamentary cooperation and the strengthening of relationships between nations and states."

In the memorandum of understanding that was signed, it was agreed, inter-alia, to promote meetings between the committees of the two parliaments, promote "green" issues and issues related to computerization, security and information; additionally, to define joint initiatives and to encourage ongoing cooperation between officials with the goal of promoting mutual knowledge regarding parliamentary administration and, in particular, legislation and documentation.