Israel, NATO Seek to Deepen Ties
By Julie Stahl
CNSNews.com Jerusalem Bureau Chief
February 24, 2005

Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Israel is seeking to deepen its ties with NATO as a means of improving relations with its Arab neighbors, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said on Thursday.

Shalom was speaking after meeting in Jerusalem with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who is on what is being called a historic visit - the first ever by a NATO chief to Israel.

"This visit reflects the mutual goal shared by Israel and NATO, to deepen our ongoing ties and to realize the great potential for cooperation, which exists between us," Shalom said.

According to Shalom, Israel and NATO countries "share common democratic values and institutions" as well as "similar challenges and threats" including "global terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

"We have no doubt that Israel will gain immensely from closer ties with NATO, and we also believe that Israel has much to offer NATO in return," Shalom said.

"We also believe that greater engagement by NATO with the countries of the Middle East will enhance our effort to promote peaceful and normal contacts between Israel and our Arab neighbors, to the benefit of all," he said.

Israel participated in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in December - the first of its kind at such a high level - as part of the Mediterranean Dialogue, a group that includes Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.