(Communicated by the Foreign Minister’s Bureau)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman met today (2 February) with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and told him that Italy is a loyal friend of Israel and that Israel appreciates Italy’s support and its stance in the international arena.
The two leaders discussed the Iranian issue. FM Liberman asked the prime minister to use his good ties with Russia to encourage its present position of supporting sanctions against Iran, in the framework of the Security Council, and to refrain from selling arms to Iran.
FM Liberman asked that Italy play a leading role in promoting international legislation that will provide democratic states with the tools to deal with terrorism. It was agreed that Israel will convey to Italy a draft proposal on this matter.
Liberman said that current international law is adapted to war between regular armies, whereas the situation today is totally different and doesn’t allow democracies to effectively defend themselves against terrorism. This can be seen in the Middle East, in Africa, and in Afghanistan.