German FM Tells President Peres: Nuclear-armed Iran is not an option

Germany’s FM Westerwelle met with President Peres in Jerusalem and voices his support for U.S. Sec. of St. Kerry’s effort to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

 

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle met with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on Friday, and said that Iranian nuclear weapons “are not an option for Germany.”

Westerwelle and Peres

Westerwelle and Peres, May 17, 2013 – Photo by Yosef Avi-Yair Engel

 

Westerwelle also voiced support for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to renew Israel-Palestinian peace talks. “I promise you Germany is one hundred percent behind Kerry’s initiative,” Westerwelle told Peres, adding that renewing talks “is not only in the interest of two states and two peoples, but in the interest of the entire world.” According to Westerwelle, Germany “will do everything possible to support the initiative… not just with words but with actions.”

Peres said of Kerry’s efforts that “the cynicism and skepticism voiced recently about the initiative are not helpful to the process, and we must express clear support.” He added that “Israel has already begun negotiations… both sides agree to the two-state solution, and all that is left is to agree on a way to reach a solution.” is agreed

During his meeting with Peres, Westerwelle also addressed the Syrian civil war, saying that “we are all shocked by the atrocities in Syria and a way must be found to put a stop to the bloodshed.”

 

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/german-fm-to-peres-nuclear-armed-iran-is-not-an-option-1.524586