Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today in Jerusalem with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel; this is the first visit by a Prime Minister of Luxembourg to Israel. The meeting was very good and was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Luxembourg Prime Minister Bettel invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit his country. Topics discussed at the meeting included bilateral economic relations and ways to deepen them as well as various regional issues.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"This is your first visit, the first in Israel and I hope it's not the last. You invited me to Luxembourg. I've already visited Luxembourg once and I intend to do it again.
"This is your first visit, the first in Israel and I hope it's not the last. You invited me to Luxembourg. I've already visited Luxembourg once and I intend to do it again.
You come obviously at a time of great turmoil in the Middle East, the world looks with horror as hundreds of thousands are slaughtered in Syria and millions stream to Europe, fleeing for their lives. We spoke about that at some length but I think this is a time of great opportunity as well. And that gives me a great deal of hope. Israel's partnerships and alliances around the world and in the region are growing broader and deeper. We stand together with many countries to defend civilization against the forces of militant Islamic barbarism and we stand together in the face of resurgent anti-Semitism. I expressed my appreciation for the forthright positon that you took in Luxembourg regarding the events there during the Second World War and your apology to the Jewish community was deeply appreciated.
We also spoke about the future. We stand together to innovate and seize the future. Innovation is the key to economic growth, to turn the promise of tomorrow's technologies to better the lives of our peoples and I think for the peoples around the world. Israel and Luxembourg are two small countries but we've shown that two small countries can be, we shouldn't be judged by our size, we can do a lot of great things and we are doing them. And I think our small countries possess great strength and together we'll be stronger.
We had very fruitful discussions. I believe in this partnership and I look forward to continuing this discussion with you in Luxembourg or any other place. So, come back again and welcome."
Photo: Haim Zach, GPO
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