٠٠:٠٢:٤٤German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the 6th German-Israeli government consultations in Berlin, Tuesday. The situation in Syria, the ongoing refugee and migrant crises, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as well as relations between the European Union and Israel were on the agenda of the meeting.
While addressing the press, Merkel said that "the European Union and also Germany as a state member of the EU, should try to pursue a realistic approach to the threat which terrorism poses especially for Israel." The German Chancellor continued, "we believe that we have to make progress in the process of peaceful coexistence and as we see it, based on the two-state solution," adding that "now is not the best time for major steps but we can achieve improvements there and we both agree that Germany will help especially when we talk about economic development."
Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Netanyahu said that Israel faces "dangers that no other country in the world faces - a threat of the isolation, terrorists poached on our borders and penetrating into our borders and so on," adding that "for that reason, the United States has been traditionally a supporter of Israel's security." Netanyahu noted that "a good part of this support is not only common values and sympathy for Israel," but also rests on the knowledge that "supporting Israel's security supports also the interests of the United States and its allies."
Netanyahu is on an official two-day visit to Berlin, accompanied by a ministerial delegation including the National Infrastructure Minister Yuval Steinitz and Minister of Immigrant Absorption.
Germany: Backing Israel supports "the interests of the United States" - Netanyahu
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the 6th German-Israeli government consultations in Berlin, Tuesday. The situation in Syria, the ongoing refugee and migrant crises, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as well as relations between the European Union and Israel were on the agenda of the meeting.
While addressing the press, Merkel said that "the European Union and also Germany as a state member of the EU, should try to pursue a realistic approach to the threat which terrorism poses especially for Israel." The German Chancellor continued, "we believe that we have to make progress in the process of peaceful coexistence and as we see it, based on the two-state solution," adding that "now is not the best time for major steps but we can achieve improvements there and we both agree that Germany will help especially when we talk about economic development."
Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Netanyahu said that Israel faces "dangers that no other country in the world faces - a threat of the isolation, terrorists poached on our borders and penetrating into our borders and so on," adding that "for that reason, the United States has been traditionally a supporter of Israel's security." Netanyahu noted that "a good part of this support is not only common values and sympathy for Israel," but also rests on the knowledge that "supporting Israel's security supports also the interests of the United States and its allies."
Netanyahu is on an official two-day visit to Berlin, accompanied by a ministerial delegation including the National Infrastructure Minister Yuval Steinitz and Minister of Immigrant Absorption.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the 6th German-Israeli government consultations in Berlin, Tuesday. The situation in Syria, the ongoing refugee and migrant crises, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as well as relations between the European Union and Israel were on the agenda of the meeting.
While addressing the press, Merkel said that "the European Union and also Germany as a state member of the EU, should try to pursue a realistic approach to the threat which terrorism poses especially for Israel." The German Chancellor continued, "we believe that we have to make progress in the process of peaceful coexistence and as we see it, based on the two-state solution," adding that "now is not the best time for major steps but we can achieve improvements there and we both agree that Germany will help especially when we talk about economic development."
Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Netanyahu said that Israel faces "dangers that no other country in the world faces - a threat of the isolation, terrorists poached on our borders and penetrating into our borders and so on," adding that "for that reason, the United States has been traditionally a supporter of Israel's security." Netanyahu noted that "a good part of this support is not only common values and sympathy for Israel," but also rests on the knowledge that "supporting Israel's security supports also the interests of the United States and its allies."
Netanyahu is on an official two-day visit to Berlin, accompanied by a ministerial delegation including the National Infrastructure Minister Yuval Steinitz and Minister of Immigrant Absorption.