The Malta Independent on Sunday
Foreign Minister in talks with Israeli Prime Minister in Tel Aviv
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela has exchanged views at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The agenda of the meeting included bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as the state of play with regard to peace and security in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East. Minister Abela was in Israel on an official visit.
“Malta is pleased with the development of bilateral relations with Israel over the past years,” Minister Abela told Prime Minister Netanyahu. “Our bilateral relations are stronger than ever, particularly at a cultural and commercial level, and we look forward to building on this momentum over the coming months to further strengthen our ties. Our intention is to also consolidate the political momentum towards an ever-closer partnership. More broadly, this visit is also opportune considering developments in the region, in relation to which we view Israel as an important regional ally and anticipate constructive discussions in this regard.”
Minister Abela reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to a two-State solu- tion, pointing out that, in this regard, Malta maintains that the future status of Jerusalem must be mutually agreed upon through meaningful peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
In Israel, the Foreign Minister also held talks with Michael Oren, Deputy Minister in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office; Tzipi Livni, former Opposition Leader and former Foreign Minister, and currently Head of the HaTnuah political party; and Fernando Gentilini, the EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process.
Furthermore, the Minister visited the Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, where he laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and the people of Malta. While in Jerusalem, he also met members of the Maltese community in the Holy Land. During his official visit to Israel, the Minister was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to Israel, Cecilia Attard-Pirotta.