FM Liberman to visit Italy and San Marino

1 Jul 2012
Liberman and his hosts are expected to discuss bilateral issues in
preparation for the meeting between the governments of Israel and Italy
scheduled to take place in October in Israel, as well as developments in the
Middle East.

(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman is
departing on Sunday, 1 July, for a visit to Italy and San Marino.

In Rome, FM Liberman will meet with Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti and
Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi. He will also meet with other figures,
including the past foreign minister, Franco Frattini, who worked extensively
with FM Liberman to strengthen the ties between the two countries. Liberman
will also meet with the heads of the Jewish community in Rome.

A ceremony will be held in Mirandola, with delegates from the Emilia-Romagna
district in northern Italy, where an earthquake struck in May. FM Liberman
will give a donation from the Israeli Foreign Minister and Canadian
philanthropist and businessman Walter Arbib, with the aid of the Canadian
United Israel Appeal, of four mobile structures fully equipped to serve as a
regional maternity center.

In Varazze, FM Liberman will visit Alenia Aermacchi, ahead of a
contract-signing between the aeronautic company and the State of Israel for
the purchase of about 30 advanced M-346 training jets. The deal is worth
more than $2 billion and includes reciprocal Italian purchases of Israeli
systems. The deal will create many new jobs in both countries. FM Liberman
will observe a demonstration flight that will show off the plane's
capabilities, and will discuss the possibility of exporting joint products
of aeronautic technologies to third countries.

On the political side, Liberman and his hosts are expected to discuss
bilateral issues in preparation for the meeting between the governments of
Israel and Italy scheduled to take place in October in Israel, as well as
developments in the Middle East, and the continuation of sanctions against
Iran. On Monday, the sanctions imposed by the EU on trade with Iran will
enter into force. Italy was among the states that pushed for the sanctions,
despite the extensive trade relations between the two states, and FM
Liberman plans to express his appreciation of Italy's position and reiterate
that the sanctions against Iran must be increased as much as possible in
order to stop its nuclear race, which threatens not only the Middle East,
but also Europe and the entire free world.

FM Liberman will be the first Israeli minister to visit San Marino, the
oldest republic in the world. During his historic visit, Liberman will meet
with the heads of state- the Captains Regent - and with State Secretary for
Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella Mularoni.