Tanjug signs contract on inter-agency cooperation with Israel's TPS-IL news agency

BELGRADE - The Tanjug News agency signed on Monday in Belgrade a contract on inter-agency cooperation with Israel's TPS-IL news agency.

The contract was signed by Tacno d o o Director General Jovana Joksimovic and TPS-IL Director Amotz Eyal.

The signing was also attended by Israeli Ambassador to Belgrade Avivit Bar-Ilan.

Tanjug and TPS-IL will establish cooperation to exchange news items, video footage and photographs, as well as know-how and education for journalists.

Joksimovic said Tanjug had signed five contracts on inter-agency cooperation since the beginning of the year and noted that it was very important not only to spread friendship, but also to exchange information and know-how.

She said she was confident both agencies would benefit from future cooperation.

"When it comes to journalists, this is one of the most important instances of cooperation as we have agreed to send Tanjug journalists to Israel for education, while Israeli journalists will get education here, and we will give them what we know and what we are the best at," Joksimovic said after signing the agreement.

Unlike Tanjug, which has been operating for more than 80 years, TPS-IL is a relatively young news agency, but a very modern, high-standard one, Joksimovic said.

"They were built on foundations that are different from Tanjug's - we are modernising ourselves, while they were built modern and, in that sense, we will have many benefits from their know-how. I think they will be using our wisdom," Joksimovic said.

She added that Tanjug was establishing inter-agency cooperation to use multiple sources of information from each country and to compare information.

"Through this cooperation, we will expand our sources, there will no longer be just one or two media outlets, but also a third one that is exceptionally credible and has high standards. I very much look forward to this cooperation," she said.

Eyal said he was pleased with the signing of the contract with Tanjug and said it involved sharing information, materials, photos and video footage.

He said the contract would help both countries to get to know each other better and that its signing was the beginning of a great partnership.

"Israel and Serbia are now becoming much closer strategic partners, and I believe that the base for it is good information and trustful facts," Eyal said.