arrival / military honors
Merkel welcomes Netanyahu
talks with defense ministers Barak and von Guttenberg in the chancellory
Posted on 01/18/2010 7:37:25 AM PST by wolf78
Israel's government convened for the first time in Berlin, the former heart of the Nazi regime, for a special joint session with the German government highlighting the nations' bond six decades after the Holocaust.
High on the agenda Monday will be Germany's push to win the release of a captive Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants and its efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Environmental issues, economic cooperation and efforts to restart the Middle East peace process are also to be discussed.
"We assign great importance to this good relationship with Germany," Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday. "It has far-reaching implications for Israel's economy, for Israel's policies, for our political struggle in the world and for Israel's security."
Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1965, Germany has become perhaps Israel's strongest ally in Europe. Germany is Israel's third-largest trade partner after the US and China. The Germans have also played a leading role as a Mideast mediator and in efforts to halt Iranian nuclear ambitions.
In that joint government session, a first for Israel, the two nations approved a series of cooperative projects. Israeli and German governments are scheduled to hold joint Cabinet sessions once a year. Germany has such arrangements with five other nations.
"This visit aims to institutionalize this yearly arrangement, it is much more than symbolic," said Shimon Stein, who served as Israel's ambassador to Germany between 2000-2007. "Given Israel's position in the world, it needs partners."
(Excerpt) Read more at ynetnews.com ...
Oh my, just looking at the pictures: The Lord works wonders.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
Love the body language.
Wonderful. This is quite something. Angela, you go, girl.
High on the agenda Monday will be Germany's push to win the release of a captive Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants and its efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Environmental issues, economic cooperation and efforts to restart the Middle East peace process are also to be discussed.Thanks wolf78.
It looks as though there are NEW “Leaders of the Free World” (sigh)
Nobody has any respect for the “traditional” one.
That is pretty funny.
I enjoy seeing photos of Bengi..fabulous man! Wish we had some like him...CHENEY does come to mind!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.