Kigali, Oct 13 (IANS) An Israeli parliamentary delegation led by the president of the Middle East country's lawmakers, Ronen Plot, arrived in Rwanda Sunday for a four-day visit to strengthen and expand bilateral ties and cooperation, a statement said.

During their visit to Rwanda, the top delegation of Israeli legislators is expected to meet their Rwandan counterparts on closer ties, Xinhua reported.

The two sides will especially take the big picture of Rwanda- Israel relations into account, seek a better role for the friendship group, enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote cooperation in all fields and seek closer ties through parliamentary diplomacy.

The delegation will also hold talks with several government officials and expect to meet Rwandan President Paul Kagame, said the statement.

The Israeli lawmakers' visit comes months after Rwanda and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June this year, on the establishment of bilateral consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Rwanda and Israel forged diplomatic relations soon after Rwanda 's independence in July 1962. The ties were severed in October 1973 and restored in October 1994.