(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met (Wednesday, 24 January 2018) with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and Swiss President Alain Berset and, later in the day, with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.
PM Netanyahu discussed the nuclear agreement with Iran and called on the leaders to utilize the opportunity that has been created in the wake of US President Donald Trump's declaration. He noted that he will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria and added that Israel is working to prevent this.
On the Palestinian issue, PM Netanyahu said that he will not compromise on Israel's security needs in any future agreement.
The Prime Minister presented the changes that are taking place in the Middle East and the opportunities that have been created. He expressed the desire to deepen economic and technological cooperation with Canada, Belgium and Switzerland.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Swiss President Berset agreed to work toward creating new tracks for bilateral economic cooperation.
PM Netanyahu and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau discussed updating the free trade agreement and agreed to expedite contacts on the issue.
Prime Minister Netanyahu invited the leaders to visit Israel.
PM Netanyahu Meets with German Chancellor Merkel
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 24 January 2018), in Davos, met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Following the meeting, the Prime Minister said:
"It was an important meeting. Of course we discussed the nuclear agreement with Iran. I said that in my view the only existing option at the moment is to put in real – not cosmetic – changes that will prevent Iran from going nuclear which would otherwise be assured by the agreement as it stands.
I also expressed my appreciation for Chancellor Merkel's genuine commitment to the security of Israel. She said that she understands our concerns regarding the nuclear agreement even though she does not necessarily agree with the way in which we want to deal with it. To this end the Europeans will hold discussions among themselves, and with the US, but she understands that this touches on our concerns, the things that could threaten our very existence. She has proven this commitment in the past at various opportunities. I am satisfied that our positions have been well-understood."
PM Netanyahu Meets with French President Emanuel Macron
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 24 January 2018), in Davos, met with French President Emanuel Macron and told him, "The partnership between us is also important for the security of Europe."
The two discussed at length the need to stand against Iran's regional aggression.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his view that the nuclear agreement cannot be left as is since it would – within several years – lead to Iran's going nuclear with an arsenal of nuclear weapons. The Prime Minister made it clear that Israel is committed to preventing this nuclearization and expressed his opinion that the failures of the agreement needed to be dealt with.
PM Netanyahu Meets with Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Davos, met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic; they agreed to move forward on the sale of Israeli F-16s to Croatia according to the terms of the tender. This development is a further expression of the deep times between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to expand economic, security, water, agricultural, academic and tourism cooperation.
PM Netanyahu Continues Diplomatic Meetings in Davos
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Thursday, 25 January 2018), in Davos, met with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and then with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and discussed with them ways to increase cooperation with Israel in various areas. He briefed them on the challenges and opportunities in the Middle East and invited them to visit Israel.