Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar, Yaron Mayer, during his visit to Nagaland.
Dimapur | Feb 28 : Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar Yaron Mayer on a private visit to Nagaland was all praise for the hospitality showered on him during his brief stay in the state. In an exclusive interaction with The Morung Express here before his departure, Ambassador Mayer said it was an opportunity to visit Nagaland and learn more about the Naga people, their culture, tradition and history.
Ambassador Mayer who met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also interacted with a cross section of people besides visiting some of the villages around Kohima. He attended the Sekrenyi Festival of the Angami Nagas at Local Ground Kohima. “I was able to experience first hand the rich culture and tradition of the people.
It was the high point of my visit, which was truly enriching and motivating”. Observing that Naga tradition in the villages was very strong and there was self sufficiency of food, water and other resources, Ambassador Mayer however felt that the local economy, if it has to grow and prosper, would have to develop linkages with the outside market. He added that infrastructure development is a major need in Nagaland.
He cited agriculture and the Israeli technology know-how as an area of possible future cooperation.
Talking about his impression on the Naga reconciliation process, the ambassador expressed deep appreciation for those leading the process. He said this positive movement should be encouraged and supported by everyone. The dialogue, he added, ‘must continue at all levels’.
Mayer, who took the opportunity to address students and faculty at the Shalom Bible Seminary, also expressed his happiness over what he termed as a feel-good factor towards Israel. “Wherever I went, people were excited to hear and wanted to know more about my country.
Naga Reconciliation “should be encouraged and supported”
Israel is accepted in a friendly way here in Nagaland”, Ambassador Mayer remarked while adding that there was similarity in “aspiration and values” between the Israeli and Naga people rooted in strong religious belief and trust in God.
The Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar who has served earlier as Spokesperson of the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi and also as Counselor of the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi also observed that Naga identity and the political issue was “very strong” among the people. When queried about his experience in Delhi and Rangoon and the unresolved conflicts in the region, Ambassador Mayer maintained that Israel supported good relation with the governments in India and Myanmar and also with the people. While strongly denying any military relation between Tel Aviv and Rangoon, Ambassador Mayer said that Israel supported the efforts to bring about democratization in Myanmar.
On recent events in Israel where a Right-Wing coalition headed by Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu appears likely to form a new government, Ambassador Mayer pointed out that whether it was the Left or Right, a majority of Israeli people supported the peace process with the Palestinians.
It may be mentioned that Ambassador Yaron Mayer had earlier served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. Prior to his joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mayer was a member of the Kibbutz Ein-Hashofet where he worked in industrial and agricultural enterprises. He held various other positions, including the Director of the Ulpan (Hebrew language school) of the Jewish Agency. Mayer was born in 1959 and has a Bachelor Degree (with Honors) in Political Science from the University of Haifa, where he also taught for some time.
Israeli Ambassador all praise for Naga hospitality - The Morung Express