Shalom says Israel does not need other people's struggles
צילום: ערוץ 2
Shalom meets with NATO head
First time NATO representative visits Israel; Shalom says Israel needs a partnership but does not need to be a member
Israel needs a close partnership, but does not need to be a member, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told NATO's secretary-general at a press conference Thursday.
“The NATO policy is committed to mutual defense and since we are in the midst of a conflict in Israel, we don’t need other people’s conflict,” he said when asked about Israel joining the 26 member alliance.
This was the first time a NATO representative had visited Israel.
Shalom said Israel and NATO have had good cooperation for the past 10 years, and following the global changes it was time to deepen relations in areas such as security, the political arena, science and development.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told Shalom his organization has chosen not to take part in the peace making process in the Middle East.
"We have a lot to say about the developments in the region, but we do not interfere with negotiations,” he said.
