HANOI, Jan. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Vietnam and Israel signed here Wednesday their bilateral air services agreement which lays the legal and technical foundations for future flights between the two countries.

    "The agreement inked today is the legal basis for establishing regular and direct aviation ties between Vietnam and Israel, facilitating our economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation," Nguyen Tien Sam, Vietnamese Vice Transport Minister and Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, addressed the signing ceremony.

    The two sides will, in the coming time, will jointly discuss specific issues such as the names of air services providers, air routes and launching dates.

    "Vietnam Airlines (national flag carrier) will engage in offering services between Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and Israel's capital. However, its first flight can't be conducted within the next one or two years," Sam told Xinhua on the sidelines of the ceremony.

    The passenger transporting capacity of the local aviation industry is still limited, while Vietnam Airlines is in need of launching new routes to North America and Africa, he explained, adding that Vietnam can receive dozens of thousands of Israeli passengers annually after direct routes between the two countries are launched.

    The agreement has 24 provisions, including those about designation of airlines and operating authorization, codeshare arrangement, recognition of certificates and licenses. It is the 58th agreement on air services of those which have been officially inked between Vietnam and countries and regions.

    Vietnam's aviation industry currently has 26 international destinations in 17 countries and regions, Sam said. Enditem