Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had brought five ministers with him. The visitors from Israel also included Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben Elieser.
"It is fortunate that we can cooperate so closely with an Israeli government today,” said Angela Merkel after the German-Israeli cabinet meeting.
Sanctions against Iran necessary
The Chancellor accused Iran of a lack of cooperation on its nuclear programme. "Time and time again we have offered Iran reasonable cooperation, transparent cooperation,” she said. "Unfortunately Iran has never responded to these offers, so that the need for sanctions is becoming increasingly apparent.”
If Iran does not change its attitude, Germany will be part of "comprehensive sanctions”, she continued. Germany would like to see these adopted by the UN Security Council. If this should prove impossible, Germany will nevertheless participate in sanctions.
Relaunching the peace process
Angela Merkel encouraged her Israeli opposite number to push forward with ending settlement construction in the occupied territories. This is an area in which the German government expects more of the Israeli government, she said. The peace process must be relaunched.
Joint cabinet meeting – a success
The meeting of the two cabinets was the highlight of the first German-Israeli government consultations on German soil.
The meeting was preceded by talks between the individual ministers. The two Foreign Ministers, Guido Westerwelle and Avigdor Lieberman, agreed to extend cultural relations between the two countries. The two governments also launched joint water supply projects for developing countries.
The cooperation between medium-sized German and Israeli companies too is to be stepped up. The Chancellor announced an Innovation Day for Israeli businesses in Germany, which is to address medium-sized companies in particular.
After the meetings of ministers Angela Merkel and Benjamin Netanyahu together visited the memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe. The Israeli Prime Minister noted with approval that the memorial is "right in the heart of Berlin”.
