DM Barak Meets with German FM Guido Westerwelle

(Communicated by Josh Hantman, International Media Advisor, MOD
dover@mod.gov.il

Defense Minister Ehud Barak made the following remarks earlier today
(Thursday), 2.2.12, at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, during his meeting
with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle:

"We are happy to welcome Germany's Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle to
Israel and we wish him a fruitful visit. The relationship between Germany
and Israel is of a very special kind. It is influenced by memories of the
past, by looking ahead to the future, by shared values, and by the
acknowledgement of Germany's important and unique role in the strengthening
of Israel's security.

We are pleased with the recent developments in the relationship between
Israel and the German security establishment. We greatly value the German
position regarding Iran, and the close cooperation we have on this matter.
In recent weeks this position was manifested in real terms with the
intensifying of [European] sanctions on the Iranian regime.

We are certain that we will continue in this vein, increasing and expanding
the sanctions in order to reach the common goal of stopping the Iranian
nuclear program. Today, we will discuss the state of affairs in this very
dynamic region around us, [a state of affairs] that I would even qualify as
"stormy"; as well as an array of international matters affecting Israel and
Germany. Again, I would like to wish [Foreign Minister Westerwelle] a
successful and fruitful visit to Israel."

Question: "What can you say about Israeli military plans against the Iranian
nuclear program?"

DM Barak: "Military plans in general are not a matter for public discourse.
The German Foreign Minister and I will share our opinions about the Iranian
matter and the general situation. Today we are still in a period of
diplomacy and sanctions. It is obvious to everyone that no option should be
removed from the table, and that diplomacy must be conducted intensively and
urgently. The sanctions on Iran must include – not only the oil sector – but
also the financial system, and the central bank. I am confident that leaders
in the international community, which of course includes Germany, will keep
discussing these issues."