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German and Israeli cabinets meet German and Israeli cabinets meet
(30 minutes later)
Germany's cabinet ministers have held a joint meeting with their Israeli counterparts in Berlin. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Israel's leaders she is willing to back new sanctions on Iran.
The meeting was to highlight the ties between the two countries, more than 60 years after the Holocaust. Speaking at a joint meeting between the German and Israeli cabinets in Berlin, she said Iran must comply with demands over its nuclear programme.
High on the agenda was German mediation to secure the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was to highlight the ties between the two countries, 65 years after the Holocaust.
The bilateral cabinet session was the second between the countries in two years, and the first held in Germany.The bilateral cabinet session was the second between the countries in two years, and the first held in Germany.
In February 2008, Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet travelled to Israel for the first joint government meeting. High on the agenda was German mediation to secure the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Other items discussed reportedly included the Middle East peace process, economic co-operation and the environment.
Ahead of the meeting, the Israeli ministers visited the Holocaust memorial in Berlin and also signed an agreement to provide assistance to developing countries.
Memorial visitMemorial visit
Items on the agenda at Monday's meeting included the Middle East peace process, efforts to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, economic co-operation and the environment. Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the meeting, Mrs Merkel said: "If Iran's reactions don't change, we will help work on comprehensive sanctions."
"We assign great importance to this good relationship with Germany," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the cabinet meeting. For his part, Mr Netanyahu said it was time to impose crippling sanctions on Tehran.
"It has far-reaching implications for Israel's economy, for Israel's policies, for our political struggle in the world and for Israel's security." "If we don't apply sanctions, crippling sanctions against this Iranian tyranny, when shall we apply them?" he asked. "If not now, when? The answer is now."
The group visited the Holocaust memorial in Berlin and also signed an agreement to provide assistance to developing countries. Iran is already subject to UN sanctions over its nuclear programme, which the West suspects is for military purposes.
Iran insists the programme is for purely peaceful purposes and has warned further sanctions will be ineffective.
It has not signed up to a six-nation compromise plan over its controversial uranium enrichment programme.
Russia, China, the US, UK, France and Germany have suggested uranium enrichment for civilian nuclear energy could be regulated if Iran handed over its uranium to Russia to manage the process.
The first German-Israeli cabinet meeting was held in February 2008, when Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet travelled to Israel.
In the 65 years since the Nazi genocide, Germany has become Israel's staunchest ally in Europe, and is Israel's third-largest trade partner after the US and China.In the 65 years since the Nazi genocide, Germany has become Israel's staunchest ally in Europe, and is Israel's third-largest trade partner after the US and China.