BICOM

The British Prime Minister hosted her Israeli counterpart during his official state visit at Downing Street yesterday, where they agreed to increase trade ties and also discussed regional issues.

Prime Minister Theresa May underlined that “the UK remains a very strong and close friend of Israel,” and highlighted the numerous areas in which there is close bilateral cooperation.

May also reiterated “the UK’s firm commitment to a two-state solution as the best way to bring stability and peace to the region” and the British “opposition to settlement activity”.

In opening remarks to the media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that “Iran seeks to annihilate Israel, it seeks to conquer the Middle East, it threatens Europe, it threatens the west, it threatens the world”. He praised the US’ introduction of new sanctions on Iran last week and urged “other nations should follow suit, certainly responsible nations”.

Netanyahu assured May that “we share with you the desire for peace… this is our dream from day one: We will never give up on our quest for peace with all of our neighbours”.

Netanyahu also met Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday, who said: “We discussed the big issues facing both our countries and how to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Following the meeting, a Downing Street statement said that May and Netanyahu had agreed to establish a new UK-Israel Trade Working Group “to continue the progress we have seen in our burgeoning trade and investment relationship, and to prepare the ground for a post-Brexit trade agreement”.

On Iran, Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister was clear that the nuclear deal is vital and must be properly enforced and policed, while recognising concerns about Iran’s pattern of destabilising activity in the region.”

The statement also said that May and Netanyahu are committed to developing the existing “strong ties” in “a wide range of areas, from trade and investment, to innovation and technology, and defence and security”.