Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with the new Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Liberman, this evening (7 May). On his first trip to Europe as Foreign Minister Liberman held talks in Rome, Paris and Prague before he met with Steinmeier.

Discussion between Steinmeier and his Israeli counterpart focused on the Middle East peace process, the current situation in the Gaza Strip and regional issues.

Foreign Minister Liberman briefed Steinmeier on the new Israeli Government's policy review process. A set of more specific foreign policy positions is to be developed before Prime Minister Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the United States.

Federal Minister Steinmeier underlined that, with regard to the Middle East peace process, the German Government expects the new Israeli Government to remain committed to the outcomes of the negotiations to date as well as the goal of a two-state solution. He stated that Germany would support Israel throughout this process. It was also important, Steinmeier stressed, to strengthen the moderate forces in the region and to actively include them in the peace efforts. Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, he made clear that securing the supply of humanitarian aid for the population was the most urgent priority.