Statement by Silvan Shalom following meeting with German Foreign Minister

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ | 22 October 2003 | Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom

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Statement by Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom following meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer
Berlin, October 22, 2003

(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Media Adviser)

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom with German FM Joschka Fischer in Berlin
(Oct 22, 2003)

I have just concluded a very constructive and important meeting with my good friend, Foreign Minister Fischer. Our discussions covered the full range of issues, including bilateral relations between Israel and Germany, the Middle East peace process and other regional issues of mutual concern.

The Foreign Minister updated me on his visit to Tehran this week. I reiterated the cardinal importance of preventing Iran - a country committed to the destruction of Israel and one of the world's chief sponsors of terror - from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. The Iranian nuclear program is a danger to the Middle East and, indeed to the entire world, and it must be stopped.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, I confirmed to the Foreign Minister Israel's firm commitment to ending the conflict with our Palestinian neighbors through negotiations on the basis on the Roadmap.

The only way we can make progress in this direction is for the Palestinian Authority to take the strategic and moral decision once and for all to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. Sadly, Yasser Arafat remains a key obstacle to this process. It is clear to us that as long as he remains, there will be no progress towards genuine peace.

Foreign Minister Fischer, I want to thank you for your personal engagement in these matters. I know that you are deeply committed to the pursuit of peace in the region and you continue to demonstrate great leadership and vision in the service of our common goal of bringing peace and security to Israel and all the peoples of the Middle East.

We are committed to working together with you and with Europe on these issues and the full range of regional and bilateral matters of interest, including trade, cultural exchange, research and development, the war on terror, and so on.

Israel and Europe do not always agree on every issue, but our shared values and interests make us natural partners. I look forward to continuing dialogue with Europe in the days and weeks ahead.