World Jewish News

PM asks Romania, Ukraine to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Israel is moving full steam ahead with its efforts toward foreign recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital.

In a meeting with visiting Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila in Jerusalem, Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called bilateral relations between the countries “fantastic” and said they would be made “even stronger” by Dancila’s visit.

He said, “I hope that you will act to stop the bad resolutions against Israel in the EU, and also of course to move your embassy and other embassies to Jerusalem. We wait for you in Jerusalem.”

While Dancila has worked to promote recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in her government, she has been faced with opposition from Romania’s President Klaud Iohannis.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu and Dancila discussed increasing bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as Iran’s regional aggression and efforts to establish itself militarily in Syria. Netanyahu told Dancila that through its counterterrorism efforts, Israel was defending not only itself but Europe as well.

On Monday, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is set to land in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening. Netanyahu plans to use the opportunity to ask the Ukrainian leader to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s official capital.

During Poroshenko’s visit, Israel and Ukraine will sign a free trade agreement that is expected to increase bilateral trade from $800,000 to $1 billion a year. The deal will also authorize the import of wheat and barley at low prices from Ukraine, which could lead to a drop in the price of baked goods in Israel.

Zeev Elkin, who chairs the Israel side of the Joint Ukrainian-Israeli Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, told Israel Hayom that “the agreement will provide a significant boost to ties between both countries.”

By Ariel Kahana

JNS