[Transcription]
  
PM Rutte: I greatly, greatly appreciate the visit by Prime Minister Netanyahu to our country. We have just discussed the recent developments in the Middle East, as well as the economy and the economic relations between our two countries.

 

The Netherlands is involved in the whole region and we will continue to engage with both Israel and the Palestinians. Israel is a natural partner for us in the volatile Middle East. It is a strong, it is a democratic nation, with a powerful economy, and we need to build further on that foundation.

The first session of the Cooperation Council will be in Israel on June the 7th. I believe that the Council will deepen our dialogue and partnership in a whole range of areas - the economy, science and research, and of course the Middle East peace process. The Netherlands remains in favor of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

 

In this respect, the Netherlands' method is no different to that of the EU or the US. We call on the parties to negotiate directly without preconditions and to refrain from unilateral steps which are counterproductive. This applies to the Palestinian approach to the UN and it applies to Israel's settlement policy. These negotiations must lead to an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, and a secure and internationally recognized Jewish state of Israel.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are reaffirming the strong working relationship between Israel and the Netherlands. I look forward to the start of our new Cooperation Council.

 

PM Netanyahu: Thank you.

 

You know, I came here 15 years ago as Prime Minister for the first time, and I think this is a second visit of a Prime Minister in the last 15 years, so this is my second visit to Holland. In between I came as Finance Minister. So that tells you something. What it tells you is that I like Holland, I admire the Netherlands, I think that you're one of our greatest friends and I think that this visit enhances this friendship.

 

There is a deep familiarity and sympathy and it comes about from the fact that we are two small nations that have stood against impossible odds, stood our ground, sometimes defeated much larger foes, maintained a tradition of liberty and free thinking in our own societies, developed enviable economies, developed arts, sciences, technology and trade, and this is something that creates this natural bond between us. We've explored many of these bonds, we will formalize some of them in our meeting in Jerusalem on June 7th. There is no area in which we cannot cooperate for mutual benefit and also for the enhancement of peace.

 

I found it instructive that in critical passages, as I told you, when Israel was unfairly accused, for example, of war crimes under the infamous Goldstone Report, your government stood out clearly and courageously and said: this is wrong, this is false, we won't lend our hands to it, and after time, other countries saw the wisdom of that position, but we appreciate it in real time and throughout time, so I welcome the opportunity of taking your kind invitation to lunch, it's a magnificent setting, our people will take cues that we have to have a similar facility in Israel, with equal lawns. 17th century building pines are always good, but also the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Rosenthal and the Deputy Prime Minister and the visit today with the Parliamentarians. I think this enhances the relationship between Israel and the Netherlands and it's something that we deeply value and appreciate, so thank you for this invitation.

 

Thank you.