‘’Israel and the European Union have agreed to put relations between us back on track,’’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday at the weekly cabinet meeting,

‘’In the conversation I had over the weekend with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, I heard from her that the EU is opposed to any boycott of Israel, and about their action regarding product labeling,’’ he said.

‘’She defined it as non-binding and said that it does not reflect their position regarding the final borders of the State of Israel, which can be determined – that is what she said – in direct negotiations between the sides,’’ Netanyahu added.

He said Israel, as a representative of democratic values, ‘’is entitled to receive support from Europe and not just criticism.’’

‘’I think that this step is welcome,’’ acknowledging that ‘’this is not to say that there will not be friction.’’ ‘’There are things that we do not agree on. Neither is this to say that there will not be friction with specific countries within the EU, just as there are countries, more than a few, that also support our position.’’

The Prime Minister mentioned as a ‘’step in the right direction’’ the fact that the Mogherini has come out strongly against BDS and against economic sanctions against Israel.

In a statement released on Friday, the EU foreign affairs chief reiterated the EU's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, adding that the final borders of Israel and the future Palestinian state should "be settled in direct negotiations between the parties".

In November, Israel suspended contacts with the EU on diplomatic relations regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, following the EU’s decision to label Israeli products from beyond the Green Line.

Netanyahu is to travel to Berlin for a two-day visit during which he will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.