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German-Israeli Intergovernmental Consultations Joint Statement
German-Israeli Intergovernmental Consultations Joint Statement 25/02/2014
http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/MediaCenter/Spokesman/Pages/spokestate250214.=
aspx
On 25 February 2014, the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and =
the State of Israel held the fifth round of intergovernmental consultations =
in Jerusalem. Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Benjamin =
Netanyahu chaired the consultations. They noted with satisfaction the =
progress made in the relations between the states since the last =
consultations held in Berlin, 6 December 2012. Both Governments have decide=
d =
to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, =
a =
decision which reflects the unique relationship between Israel and Germany.
Both Governments are determined to further strengthen these relations by =
expanding their joint work in a wide range of areas.
The discussions reflected the broad range and depth of the cooperation =
between Germany and Israel. Both sides reiterated their shared aim to =
further enhance the unique relationship and close ties between the two =
states. This cooperation looks towards the future, while recognizing =
Germany’s awareness of its historic responsibility towards Israel. Both =
sides agreed that the preservation of the memory of the Shoah for future =
generations continues to be a pillar of their relationship. Germany =
emphasized its commitment and special responsibility to Israel as a Jewish =
and democratic state and to its security. Both sides expressed their hope =
for the peaceful coexistence of Israel with its neighbors. In this context =
they reaffirmed their commitment to work together towards a stabilization o=
f =
the region and peaceful resolutions of conflicts. They reiterated their =
strong commitment to human rights and to the fight against all forms of =
anti-Semitism and racism; they also strongly reaffirmed that any challenge =
to the right of the State of Israel to exist is unacceptable. Both sides =
reaffirmed that the common values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law =
are the solid foundation for the partnership between both states.
Both sides welcomed the continuously growing cooperation and partnership =
between both societies and especially the mutual interest between the young =
people in both countries. Both Governments will continue to promote and =
elaborate dialogue in the strategic, economic, research and development =
areas and support the strengthening of the relations between the young =
generations in Israel and Germany.
The following Government members took part in the consultations:
On the German side: Federal Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel; Federal Minister =
for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier; Federal Minister of the =
Interior, Dr. Thomas de Maizi=E8re; Federal Minister of Justice and Consume=
r =
Protection, Mr. Heiko Maas; Federal Minister of Finance, Dr. Wolfgang =
Sch=E4uble; Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Ms. Andrea Nahle=
s; =
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Christian Schmidt; Federal =
Minister of Defence, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen; Federal Minister for Family =
Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Ms. Manuela Schwesig; Federal =
Minister of Health, Mr. Hermann Gr=F6he; Federal Minister of Transport and =
Digital Infrastructure, Mr. Alexander Dobrindt; Federal Minister for the =
Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Ms. Barbara Hendricks; =
Federal Minister of Education and Research, Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka; Federa=
l =
Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr. Gerd M=FCller; Minist=
er =
of State to the Federal Chancellor, Dr. Helge Braun; and Minister of State =
in the Federal Chancellery and Federal Government Commissioner for Culture =
and the Media, Prof. Monika Gr=FCtters; Parliamentary State Secretary at th=
e =
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Ms. Iris Gleicke.
On the Israeli side: Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu; Minister of =
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Avigdor Lieberman; Minister of Defense, Mr. Moshe =
Ya’alon; Minister of Finance, Mr. Yair Lapid; Minister of Economy, Mr. =
Naftali Bennett; Minister of Justice, Ms. Tzipi Livni; Minister of =
Intelligence, Mr. Yuval Steinitz; Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Gideon =
Sa’ar; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Yair Shamir; =
Minister of Science Technology and Space, Mr. Yaakov Perry; Minister of =
Education, Rabbi Shai Piron; Minister of Culture and Sport, Ms. Limor =
Livnat; Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Mr. Yisrael Katz; Minister o=
f =
Health, Ms. Yael German; Minister of Senior Citizens, Mr. Uri Orbach; =
Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Mr. Meir Cohen; Minister of =
Environmental Protection, Mr. Amir Peretz; Deputy Minister of Foreign =
Affairs, Mr. Ze’ev Elkin; Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, =
Mr. Ofir Akunis; Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein.
The Intergovernmental consultations focused on the following topics:
Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations =
between Israel and Germany in 2015
Following the joint decision of December 2012 to celebrate the 50th =
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and =
Germany during the course of 2015, both Governments have taken concrete =
steps to realize this goal. The national Points of Contact who were =
designated in the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs have been =
exploring joint projects. All relevant Ministries are involved in the =
preparation process, and partners from the spheres of science, culture and =
civil society have been invited to participate in the planned activities. =
Both governments reiterated their commitment to allocate budgetary funds fo=
r =
activities in the jubilee year.
Several ministries presented bilateral projects to mark the 50th anniversar=
y =
of diplomatic relations between the two states.
During the consultations both Heads of Government agreed on the logo which =
will be used by both sides for all activities and events throughout 2015.
International Development Cooperation
The Governments are strongly committed to the global agenda for sustainable =
development, eradication of poverty and the attainment of the Millennium =
Development Goals. The Governments welcomed the signing of the joint =
declaration of intent on the expansion of Israeli-German International =
Development Cooperation today and expressed satisfaction at the success of =
the ongoing partnerships in Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya. Germany and Israel =
are committed to further implementing the Africa Initiative, as agreed upon =
by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chancellor Merkel in December 2012, and to =
expanding their development cooperation to additional partner states. Both =
sides highlighted the importance of the close contacts and the annual =
Development Dialogue between MASHAV and BMZ.
Bilateral Legal Cooperation
In light of the common democratic principles upon which the judicial system=
s =
of Israel and Germany are founded, and the common challenges they face, the =
Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of Germany and the =
Ministry of Justice of Israel commended the fruitful bilateral legal =
cooperation between the two states, particularly under the 22 August 1989 =
agreement between the ministries. They expressed a shared desire to continu=
e =
to build close cooperation on issues of common interest. To mark the 50th =
anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states, the ministries =
expressed their intention to organize a justice conference at the =
ministerial level in Berlin. The conference will provide a forum for =
high-level dialogue and exchange on professional issues, and emphasize the =
special relationship between the two ministries.
Defence
The Ministers of Defence will continue to improve existing defence ties and =
to foster close cooperation between both countries. This will be a mutually =
beneficial and trustful relationship which is based on true partnership and =
operational experience, facilitated further by our respective technological =
and industrial infrastructure. The defence establishments will continue =
their dialogue and cooperation in the face of shared threats and concerns, =
regionally and globally, in order to promote security in a way that will =
serve the mutual long-term interests of Israel and Germany.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Based on the solid foundation of actively pursued pragmatic cooperation in =
the field of trade and economic development, the bilateral relations betwee=
n =
the states have reached an advanced stage of long-term partnership at many =
levels. The Governments will work on expanding and diversifying the trade =
flows between the parties. The Israeli side noted that Israeli companies =
have developed innovative solutions in ITC, cyber-defense, agro-technology, =
HLS, new media and other hi-tech sectors that are potentially suitable for =
the German market. The Governments noted the importance of creating =
partnerships between the respective business communities in order to enhanc=
e =
bilateral trade and economic relations. In light of this importance, both =
Governments attribute particular importance to innovation and high =
value-adding industries. The Governments have invited industries and =
companies to collaborate in joint initiatives such as technological parks =
and other investment opportunities in order to create new platforms for =
entrepreneurship and innovation in both markets.
Both sides agreed that a “German-Israel Innovation Day” will be held in 201=
5 =
, with the active participation of both the German Federal Ministry for =
Economic Affairs and Energy and the Israeli Minister of Economy. The event =
is to be held at a suitable venue in Tel Aviv with the participation of =
high-ranking government officials and business leaders from Israel and =
Germany. The goal behind this event is to emphasize to the German business =
community the potential in cooperating with Israeli bodies and to highlight =
the ways in which both economies complement one another, as well as the =
advantages that may be gained through joint cooperation. Both Ministers mad=
e =
reference to the previous Innovation Day held at the BMWi in Berlin on =
December 6, 2010. The event attracted more than 300 guests from the busines=
s =
communities of both states and generated concrete business cooperation =
between participating companies.
The German Federal Minister of Education and Research and the Israeli =
Minister of Economy agreed to intensify the bilateral cooperation in =
industrial research and in the area of vocational training. The Governments =
intend to develop new fields of technology as well as to strengthen their =
joint participation in the EU-Framework Program =93Horizon 2020=94 and in =
EUREKA.
Energy
The energy sectors both in Germany and Israel continue to undergo =
significant transformation. Ensuring a high level of supply security and =
maintaining reasonable prices, while integrating climate protection =
objectives, requires market-based solutions and technological innovation. =
Both Governments intend to strengthen their fruitful dialogue and successfu=
l =
cooperation in this field and continue to encourage German and Israeli =
companies and research institutions to cooperate.
Environmental Protection
The Governments seek to further strengthen the close cooperation between th=
e =
states in environmental protection, particularly in fields such as waste =
management, green building and mitigation of and adaptation to climate =
change, including in ways which might benefit states of the region, thus =
contributing to peace and stability in the Middle East.
Agriculture
Both Governments stated that cooperation between the two states in the =
agricultural sector had greatly intensified since the last intergovernmenta=
l =
consultations and the signing of the Agreement on Scientific-Technical =
Cooperation in the Area of Research on Agriculture and Nutrition in 2012. =
They agreed to jointly promote innovations in agriculture that were closely =
linked to the phenomena of worldwide climate change. Shortly after the =
signing of the Agreement, the implementation phase began. A number of =
projects were identified based on common fields of scientific interest. The =
first joint scientific projects will start in 2014.The Governments =
emphasized their interest in joint twinning projects and highlighted the =
positive results of the ongoing twinning project for rural development and =
agro-tourism, which is a trilateral project between Italy, Germany and =
Israel. The possibility of working together in agricultural projects in =
Africa is also being considered.
Preserving and Refurbishing the “White City” in Tel Aviv
The Governments recognize that the “White City” in Tel Aviv is the world’s =
largest collection of Bauhaus architecture, built by exiled Jewish-German =
architects, and plays an important role in joint German-Israeli history. Th=
e =
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and =
Nuclear Safety and the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo will cooperate on the =
study, documentation and preservation of Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv.
Scientific and Technological Research
The Governments reaffirmed their long-standing successful cooperation in =
scientific research and emphasized their willingness to strengthen this =
cooperation. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relation=
s =
between the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany, the German =
Federal Minister of Education and Research and the Israeli Minister of =
Science, Technology and Space have agreed to hold the second German-Israeli =
Research Forum in 2015. The objective is to further develop the already =
successful research cooperation. The Forum will be held in Israel. Both =
sides will decide on the thematic focus areas to be discussed at the Forum. =
Both Ministers stressed the excellence of the fruitful scientific =
cooperation between Germany and Israel and the yield from innovative =
projects, and agreed to intensify the bilateral cooperation of their =
Ministries in the field of cancer research by expanding the program’s scope.
Transport
The Governments agreed to continue to enhance their cooperation in the fiel=
d =
of rail transport. The Federal Government will encourage German consultancy =
firms and infrastructure companies to get involved in rail transport =
projects in Israel.
Electric mobility and innovations for sustainable transport systems: The =
Governments emphasized that alternative fuels and drivetrains, including =
electric mobility, play a major part in developing sustainable mobility for =
the future. For this reason, as part of existing agreements, the intensive =
dialogue on relevant strategies, research and business activities is to be =
continued.
The Governments, through their respective Ministers of Transport, have =
decided to promote drawing up an agreement based on mutual recognition, for =
the purpose of reciprocity of driving licenses.
The Ghetto Pension Law
Both Governments underlined the importance of a quick solution regarding th=
e =
question of retroactive payments of pensions from labor in a ghetto. Given =
the age of the eligible individuals and the time that has already elapsed, =
the Federal Government announced its firm intention to submit a bill to the =
Bundestag as soon as possible, which would make these retroactive pension =
payments possible from July 1997. Both Governments expressed their =
confidence that there is a common understanding that survivors who worked i=
n =
a ghetto will receive full recognition under the social insurance law as =
soon as possible.
Social Affairs
The Governments, through their respective Ministers of Social Affairs, have =
decided that a mutual cooperation and best practices exchange be made by th=
e =
Ministries’ senior professional officials.
Health
The Governments, through their respective Ministries of Health have decided =
on mutual cooperation and best practices exchange on health issues to be =
made by the Ministries=91 senior professional officials.
Education and Youth Exchange
The encounters of young people from Germany and Israel are a central aspect =
of German-Israeli relations. The youth exchange assists in structuring a =
foundation of common values, leading to mutual respect and better =
understanding between the young generations of both states.
The close cooperation between the Coordination Center for German-Israeli =
Youth Exchange, ConAct, and the Israel Youth Exchange Authority, which is =
based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Ministry for =
Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and the Ministry of =
Education regarding youth exchange dating from 2011, led to approximately =
300 encounters in 2013 involving close to 6.000 young people and specialist=
s =
in youth welfare service in the non-formal education exchange. The Israel =
Youth Exchange Authority and ConAct will establish a bilateral steering =
committee to formulate a list of joint projects and unique events to be hel=
d =
in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between German=
y =
and Israel.
With a view to the young peoples’ increased interest in learning German, th=
e =
Israeli government stated that it would examine the introduction of German =
as an optional subject at specific Israeli high schools beginning in 2015. =
Both states will explore the possibility of promoting the learning of the =
German language in Israeli schools by establishing academic teacher trainin=
g =
programs for German-language teaching, in cooperation with the =
German-designated authority and Israeli universities.
The Governments welcomed the progress made in the work of the German-Israel=
i =
Textbook Commission. They look forward to the publication of the Commission=
=92s =
joint recommendations for textbooks, scheduled for 2015, and called for =
their implementation through appropriate national means.
Both states agreed to cooperate in the field of educational technology by =
exchanging information and experiences to improve education and teacher =
training in the respective school systems, and signed a specific Joint =
Declaration on this matter.
Volunteer Services
For more than 50 years, volunteer services have played and continue to play =
a central role in German-Israeli relations. The fact that Israel is among =
the top-ranking states in terms of young German volunteers is a strong sign =
which encourages both Governments to explore further possibilities to =
strengthen their cooperation in this field.
Working Holiday Program
The Governments have decided to launch a Working Holiday Program. This new =
program will allow young people aged 18 to 30 to spend longer periods of =
time in the respective states while supporting themselves through work, and =
will help enhance the people-to-people relations between the states.
Senior Citizens
Against the backdrop of demographic change and the challenges of ageing =
societies, German-Israeli cooperation in the field of senior citizen policy =
is based on the desire to have experts regularly exchange their views =
regarding innovative approaches and successful policies, for =
inter-generational projects, policy at the local level, old age housing and =
utilizing the potential of elderly people for the benefit of society. A =
bilateral working group, which meets at regular intervals, is to have =
in-depth discussions on topics of mutual interest concerning senior citizen =
policy and, where applicable, formulate proposals on joint projects.
Consular Assistance
Israel has accepted the German offer to provide consular assistance through =
its worldwide consular network to Israeli nationals in emergency situations =
in third states where Israel has no diplomatic or consular representation a=
t =
the relevant time. Points of Contact in the respective Ministries of Foreig=
n =
Affairs have been designated to coordinate and process individual assistanc=
e =
requests.
Cyber Security
The Governments seek to further strengthen their cooperation on cyber =
security and combatting cyber-crime, and to expand knowledge, understanding =
and expertise on cyber security from technological, strategic, social, =
international and legal perspectives. They will cooperate to the greatest =
extent possible in order to create a desirable situation in which potential =
interference with the authenticity, integrity and availability of data or =
any other harm to the participants in cyberspace is reduced to a tolerable =
degree.
Identity Security
Germany and Israel share the view that the use of biometrics can play an =
important role in securing citizens’ identities. In particular, =
state-of-the-art identity documents, such as the electronic passport, can b=
e =
securely linked to the legitimate holder by biometric identifiers. The side=
s =
have agreed to continue to intensify talks at the working level to look int=
o =
possible solutions for online ID verification.
Sport
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Israeli Ministry of Culture an=
d =
Sport confirmed their good and close cooperation. Germany welcomed the =
Israeli proposal to sign a joint declaration on cooperation in sport, =
acknowledging the role of sport in the rapprochement of the two states.
Culture
The Governments underlined their commitment to strengthen cultural =
activities and initiatives, which will help to further deepen mutual =
understanding and cooperation between both societies. They emphasized their =
willingness to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic =
relations between Germany and Israel with new ideas and projects which will =
extend into the future of the two states.
The Governments agreed to establish a German-Israeli translator=92s award =
starting in 2015. The prize will be awarded every two years and will honor =
outstanding translations published during the last five years in the field =
of fiction and non-fiction literature from Hebrew into German and from =
German into Hebrew. The Governments agreed that the National Libraries of =
Germany and Israel will cooperate in sponsoring new digitization projects =
with regard to common cultural aspects. This will advance the accessibility =
of the literary and cultural Jewish heritage in Germany. After conducting a =
thorough inventory of available archival material and resources, both =
libraries will finalize joint projects in this area.
Better Regulation
The Governments both consider better regulation an important policy goal an=
d =
will further cooperation and exchange of best practices, including in =
simplifying regulation in the field of conducting business and reducing the =
bureaucratic burdens on citizens in this field.
Conclusion
The Governments reiterated the great importance they attribute to the close =
ties and continuous interaction between the Governments and agreed to =
conduct a Government to Government (G2G) meeting during the course of 2015 =
and look forward to them as one of the major events marking the 50th =
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two states. =
________________________________________
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