Olmert to leave for diplomatic Europe tour
Prime minister will depart for Berlin, set to meet Merkel, Prodi and Pope Benedict in tour aimed at garnering European support for tough measures against Iran, continued pressure on Palestinians
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will depart for Berlin Monday, to start off his diplomatic tour of the continent. During his tour, the prime minister is set to meet with several European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and Pope Benedict XVI.
In Germany, Olmert will discuss with his counterpart the Palestinian issue and the "axis of evil," which according to Israel stretches from Iran and Damascus to the Palestinian Authority.
He will seek to ensure Germany's adherence to the economic blockade on Gaza, and stress Israel's demand that the conditions of the Quartet to the Palestinians - namely recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and honoring past treaties – are met.
The prime minister is also expected to raise the matter of the Iranian nuclear race, and ask Merkel to support the imposition of sanctions on the Islamic republic.
On Wednesday, the PM will leave for Rome to meet Prodi, who is considered a good friend of Israel. The main issues of sanctions on Iran and the blockade on the Palestinians will also stand at the heart of the talks with the Italian leader.
Olmert's tour will culminate in a visit to the Vatican and a meeting with the pope. The PM hopes to hear moderate statements from Benedict XVI supporting a renewal of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian.
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