On Sunday and Monday, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, visited Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the invitation of Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Minister Asselborn met the President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, and had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Minister Asselborn had more meetings with the leader of the opposition in the Knesset, Isaac Herzog, and the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Ahmad Tibi. He also met the former Ambassador to Luxembourg, Avi Primor.
The discussions were constructive thanks to cordial relations existing between the two countries and allowed them to review several issues of common interest and to examine in depth on the situation in Israel and on regional policy.
The discussions helped to deal with the complexity of Israeli-Palestinian relations and ways to revive the peace process in the Middle East. The Israeli authorities explained to Minister Asselborn their vision of a possible resumption of negotiations and set out ways to bring the Israeli and Palestinian sides together. Urging the Israeli authorities to continue on this path, the Luxembourg Minister stressed the fundamental importance of the cessation of construction in Israeli settlements in the West Bank for the resumption of negotiations.
Minister Asselborn stressed the right to security and peace for Israel and reminded the Israeli authorities that maintaining the blockade of Gaza can not continue, given that the economic and social situation is already disastrous, as it strengthens extremism and thereby jeopardises the security of Israel.
Taking stock of relations between the EU and Israel, the talks helped to address several aspects of cooperation, as well as ways in which the EU can promote a resumption of talks. The issue of labeling of products from the settlements was also on the agenda of discussions.
Minister Asselborn also took the opportunity to make an inventory of discussions at EU level regarding the migration crisis, including treating the conflict in Syria and the situation in Iraq, and the means available to achieve an improvement in the situation on the ground. The conclusion of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear talks allowed them to exchange their respective views on the implementation of the Agreement and the role of Iran in the region.
Photo by MAEE, (L-R): Minister Asselborn; PM Benjamin Netanyahu
