Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM). 19-Nov-13
Senior UK and Israeli officials met yesterday in Jerusalem to discuss issues of strategic common interest between the two countries; including Iran’s nuclear development and the peace process.
The UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue was being held for the fifth time, having been instituted as an annual forum for discussion in 2008, with the venue switching alternately between Jerusalem and London.
Yesterday’s dialogue was attended by Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service Simon Fraser, who via Twitter described the talks as a “great discussion on deepening bilateral cooperation.” Fraser specified that among the regional issues discussed were Iran and the peace process and the Israeli officials who he had met with included Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin.
Yesterday’s forum comes at an important juncture in diplomatic efforts to resolve international concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear development, with representatives of the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) set to resume talks with Iranian officials tomorrow over a possible interim agreement.
Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary William Hague told Parliament that although the gaps between the two sides are “narrow,” that “the pressure will be there for greater sanctions, for an intensification of sanctions, unless an agreement is reached.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually stressed the importance of maintaining international sanctions in order to resolve the impasse over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s strategic dialogue also convened amid tensions in the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Although negotiations to forge a comprehensive peace agreement between the two sides resumed in July, tensions have increased during the past two weeks. Via social media, Fraser reaffirmed yesterday that his visit aims to “underline support for the two state solution.”
Senior UK and Israeli officials met yesterday in Jerusalem to discuss issues of strategic common interest between the two countries; including Iran’s nuclear development and the peace process.
The UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue was being held for the fifth time, having been instituted as an annual forum for discussion in 2008, with the venue switching alternately between Jerusalem and London.
Yesterday’s dialogue was attended by Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service Simon Fraser, who via Twitter described the talks as a “great discussion on deepening bilateral cooperation.” Fraser specified that among the regional issues discussed were Iran and the peace process and the Israeli officials who he had met with included Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin.
Yesterday’s forum comes at an important juncture in diplomatic efforts to resolve international concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear development, with representatives of the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) set to resume talks with Iranian officials tomorrow over a possible interim agreement.
Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary William Hague told Parliament that although the gaps between the two sides are “narrow,” that “the pressure will be there for greater sanctions, for an intensification of sanctions, unless an agreement is reached.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually stressed the importance of maintaining international sanctions in order to resolve the impasse over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s strategic dialogue also convened amid tensions in the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Although negotiations to forge a comprehensive peace agreement between the two sides resumed in July, tensions have increased during the past two weeks. Via social media, Fraser reaffirmed yesterday that his visit aims to “underline support for the two state solution.”
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