Prime Minister Yair Lapid met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer today (Tuesday, 12 July 2022), at the Prime Minister's office at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. They met privately at first and then held an expanded meeting with the participation of their staffs.
Prime Minister Lapid told Austrian Chancellor Nehammer that he sees him as a true friend of the State of Israel and thanked him for his support of Israel in both the European Union and the multilateral arena.
The leaders discussed at length the security challenges as well as regional issues on the agenda, especially the Iranian threat. Prime Minister Lapid emphasized the importance of international awareness against the agreement and concerns over the continuation of the Iranian nuclear program.
The two men also discussed the war in Ukraine and its implications for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Lapid and Austrian Chancellor Nehammer signed a document establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries in security, especially cyber and counter-terrorism, health in light of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism, technology, innovation, trade, investment promotion, the struggle against climate change, green tech and digitization.
The Prime Minister and the Austrian Chancellor also discussed the deepening of bilateral cooperation on a basis of the partnership between the countries in the fight against antisemitism and in steps to preserve the memory of the Holocaust.
Prime Minister Lapid at the signing of the declarations:
"Hello, my friend.
“When I took office just last week, somebody asked me what was the most exciting or emotional moment I had in this past year since we formed a government.
“I didn't even hesitate for a second, because, and I said: 'The most emotional moment I had – was with you in Mauthausen concentration camp when you told me that on behalf of the people of Austria, you apologize for the killing of my grandfather who died there.'
“I didn't know it at the time, my mother was watching this at home and she cried. She told me she cried like a child. So this is the most significant moment for me in office, and I thank you for this again.
“It shows how much you care for this relationship and how much you care for making sure people understand what happened there, in what is known as the other planet, and this is something I will never forget.
“So it's an opportunity to again show my appreciation for you and for the gesture. I also thank you for your support and contribution for upgrading our relations with Austria.
“The chancellor was the key figure in building this relationship. This is important for both our countries, and sometimes what you need is the determination of leadership and this is what you brought to this table.
“We have just signed here a comprehensive and upscaling agreement between our countries, and signing this agreement is an important moment in the great history we have between our peoples. And now I think you and I should instruct our teams to work and make this into a tangible and substantial, not only an agreement, but relationship.
“Thank you again, and welcome to Israel.”
Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2T6ijcwG-Q) for a video clip; credit – Roi Avraham (GPO)