- Title: ISRAEL-GERMANY Germany's Steinmeier visits region, meets Israeli leadership
- Date: 1st June 2015
- Summary: JERUSALEM (MAY 31, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER (LEFT) AND ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU APPROACHING PODIUMS TO GIVE JOINT STATEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "We still believe that there won't be real safety for Israel in the long ru
- Embargoed: 16th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jerusalem
- City:
- Country: Israel
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA2ZDQM1SVLHN6LF06LQR0Y7LS9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on a three-day visit to the region, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday (May 31) to discuss collapsed peace talks as well as regional and bilateral issues, as the two countries mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In a joint news conference, Steinmeier reiterated Germany's commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and urged both Israel and Palestinians to resume negotiations.
"We still believe that there won't be real safety for Israel in the long run without a viable, peaceful Palestinian State. And we still believe that we have to pave the way, even if the situation seems very difficult at the moment. We have to carry on searching for ways and possibilities to bring the Middle East peace process to life. That's why I am here today and will also be in the Palestinian territories later and tomorrow," Steinmeier said.
Netanyahu demanded the Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish State.
"We spoke in some length about our common quest to move forward in peace with the Palestinians. I think the only way to move that is through direct negotiations. Unfortunately, the Palestinian Authority has moved away from these negotiations, but I believe and I remain committed to the idea that the only way we can achieve lasting peace is through the concept of two states for two peoples, a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognises a Jewish nation state of Israel. I know that Germany shares this view," the prime minister said.
Regarding Iran, Steinmeier said: "You know that we are part of an international group for many years that is working on an agreement in the long lasting conflict with Iran. We have spent long days, nights and weeks in Lausanne negotiating. Parameters have been agreed upon, these parameters are not the final agreement. But I will assure you, in the end it is not about coming up with a good or bad agreement. An agreement is only an option if it contributes to enhance the security of Israel."
Also on Sunday Steinmeier held talks with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.
At the start of the meeting with Rivlin, Steinmeier emphasized that the situation in Gaza must be addressed.
"I just said in the press conference that I still believe that there is a need to come back to negotiations about the two-state solution, but with regard to the risky situation in Gaza, I think we have also to think about some concrete steps for improving the situation for the daily life there. Without that, I'm afraid, the situation is again escalating and there can be no interest for both sides," said Steinmeier.
Rivlin said he hoped the foreign minister could help negotiate resumption of direct talks.
"We hope that you could be the one to bring to the idea of both people that the need and the only way to bring to an end the conflict, to bring to an end the tragedy that we are living in, is by direct negotiations," Rivlin said.
Steinmeier is due to travel to the West Bank later in the day to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki.
On Monday (June 1) he will tour Gaza to assess the enclave's rehabilitation after seven weeks of fighting between Israel and Hamas in summer 2014. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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