PM SHARON MEETS BELGIAN FM DE GUCHT
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Monday, 28 February, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met today (Monday), 28.2.05, in his Jerusalem
office, with Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht. The meeting was held
in a good and friendly atmosphere. The Prime Minister welcomed his guest to
Israel and said that he would like to see an improvement in bilateral
relations, in all areas.

Prime Minister Sharon emphasized that he is determined to move the
diplomatic process forward and to implement the Disengagement Plan and made
it clear that Israel will not compromise on the issue of the security of its
citizens.

Prime Minister Sharon said that Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Abu
Mazen and the PA are committed to bringing about a cessation of violence,
terrorism and incitement, and to dismantle terrorist infrastructures, but
added that up until today no active steps have been taken to disband the
terrorist organizations.

Prime Minister Sharon stressed the importance of the European Union acting
to include Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations and to halt the
flow of funds to Hamas from Europe.

Prime Minister Sharon commended Belgium for the measures it has taken to
fight anti-Semitism and to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, and noted
that he would be happy to host Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt on his
upcoming visit to Yad Vashem in mid-March.

Prime Minister Sharon emphasized the importance of Belgian support for
Israel's candidacy to join the Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD). Belgian Foreign Minister de Gucht said that his
government would favorably consider supporting Israel's OECD candidacy.