Foreign Affair Minister. George W. Vella held official talks with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Libermann in Jerusalem earlier today. The two Ministers discussed at length developments related to the Middle East Peace Process as well as relations between the two countries. Minister Libermann welcomed the visit to Israel by Minister Vella as a further sign of growing co-operation in various sectors and the increased 'people to people' contacts through tourism and commercial exchanges. He stated that the situation concerning the Israeli-Palestinian question is presently not an encouraging one and that as an active member of the European Union, Malta has a role in addressing these developments.
The Ministers agreed to conduct political consultations on a regular basis to make better use of existing potential in sectoral cooperation and exchange of views on regional developments.
On the Middle East Peace Process, Minister Vella reiterated the position that disproportionate use of force in Gaza and continued settlement construction on Palestinian land as delineated by pre-1967 borders were serious setbacks to the possibility of reaching a durable solution. He underlined Malta's commitment to a Two State Solution that is also based on an undisputed right of Israel to live within safe and secured borders.
Minister Vella also held meetings with the Leader of the Opposition Isaac Herzog, Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and the Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee, Ze'ev Elkin.
He also visited the Vad Yashem Memorial in Jerusalem where he laid a wreath in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust.