"Israel and Germany are two advanced countries, real societies, real science, real universities, real technology, real business sector, " said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he addressed Tuesday the sixth Israel-Germany Government-to-Government meeting in Berlin.

He added, ‘’However, unlike Germany, whose Western European neighborhood is perhaps more conducive to such progress, Israeli advancement in those areas is not obvious."

"As we look around us, it's not obvious, especially in our part of the world. But by cooperating, we make each other stronger and we are better able to innovate, and the future belongs to those who innovate,’’ he said.

Describing the bilateral relationship as a “unique partnership, ” he thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her ‘’friendship, the constancy of your friendship, and the warm hospitality that you've shown me and my ministers and my entire delegation" as well her government's close cooperation with Israel "in defense, in security, in politics and diplomacy.

"In these and many other areas, our cooperation enables both Germans and Israelis to better meet the challenges and the threats, as well as to seize the technological and scientific promise of the future," Netanyahu said.

According to press reports, Netanyahu requested Germany’s help in returning the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which are being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference with Netanyahu, German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the prospects of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. She said that although “we have to advance a process of peaceful coexistence” through a two-state solution, that Germany “is very concerned about seeing things realistically,” and consequently, “Now is certainly not the time to make really comprehensive progress.”

However, she added “but you can achieve improvements in certain places,” especially the economic field.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, Housing Minister Yoav Galant, Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who all met their German counterparts.

Elkin reportedly was asked by Thomas de Maiziere, Germany’s federal Interior Minister, to present Israel’s model of immigrant absorption to help Germany manage the recent large influx of migrants.