Israeli-Palestinian borders to be decided through talks
- By Zhang Ming'ai
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China.org.cn, May 31, 2011
Israel-China ties
Barak hailed bilateral relations between Israel and China. A series of steps will be taken to promote ties between the two countries.
Last year Israel decided to increase the number of diplomats in China. Israel will create a department in Jerusalem, which will be dedicated only to Chinese affairs. Next year Israel will open the third General Council in China to celebrate the 20 anniversary of its diplomatic ties with China.
He also said that in the framework of the economic development and China's Five Year Plan "we will continue to explore in which way the two countries can cooperate in high-tech, clean tech, and research and development (R&D)."
He also expressed the hope to expand cultural cooperation and to increase people to people exchanges between Israel and China. He welcomed Chinese tourists to visit Israel and also hoped more Israelis will come to visit China.
Barak is on his first China visit since he took office as the Director General of the Foreign Ministry.
Turmoil in the Middle East
Barak saidIsrael is looking closely at the unstable situation in the Middle East, which might continue for months or even years.
The demonstrations in Egypt, Syria, Yemen and Libya that started on the Internet and through Facebook proved that no one leader is working behind the scenes and that the demonstrations arise from the people, Barak said .
"For us Israelis, the most important element is that Israel is not part of this picture," Barak said. "There are no Israel flags burnt in these demonstrations. We are not part of this turmoil going on in different Arab countries."
"Israel is an island of stability in a region in which instability is the name of the game."
He hoped that people in those countries will find better solutions and restated Israel's stance on the demonstrations. "Our official position is non-intervention in domestic affairs of Arab countries," he said. "We'll keep our strategic silence."
He also expressed the hope that the peace treaty Israel signed with Egypt and Jordan will continue to be "the essential part of our bilateral relations."
Worries over Iran
He also expressed concern about Iran's development of nuclear weapons and missiles, which can reach Israel and Europe, and its support for terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas by providing them with weapons.
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