(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)
Director General Yossi Gal hosted today the annual Israel-Canada high level bilateral consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. The Canadian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard Edwards. This latest round of consultations follows a previous meeting convened in Ottawa in 2007.
The consultations were held as part of the ongoing celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel. The talks were characterized by the cordiality and friendship which exist between Israel and Canada. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who joined the dialogue, expressed Israel's appreciation for the warm relations which exist between the two countries. He congratulated the Canadian side on the occasion of the upcoming assumption by Canada of the Presidency of the G-8. Minister Lieberman also expressed his thanks for Canada's agreement to represent Israel's interests in Venezuela. The Minister also briefed the Canadian delegation on the Iranian threat to the stability of the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon also greeted the participants and exchanged views with the Canadian Deputy Minister.
Director General Gal thanked his counterpart for Canada's support for Israel at the United Nations, including its decision not to attend the "Durban 2" conference. The ongoing cooperation between the two countries in a number of fields, as well as Canada's role as Israel's point of contact within NATO were also mentioned as examples of the strength of the bilateral relationship. In the course of a working lunch with the Canadian delegation the Director General briefed his counterpart at length on the situation in the Middle East and the prospects for progress in the future.
Both delegations agreed on the need to reinforce economic ties between the two countries through increasing bilateral trade and investment, as well as promoting greater scientific cooperation.
The talks also included professional sessions with experts, devoted to regional issues, such as the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and the international action required to address the Iranian nuclear threat.