Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed ways of exporting Israeli natural gas to Europe, via Egypt, during a meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday, according to a statement from Bennett’s office.
The two held a private meeting followed by an expanded one, according to the statement. Among the topics discussed were strengthening bilateral relations and the need to enhance cooperation in several fields, including innovation, climate change and sustainability.
Bennett also briefed von der Leyen on Iran’s actions in the region, and reiterated his call for the international community to take a “hard line” against the regime and its accelerated nuclear program. He also thanked European leaders for their recent decision to censure Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Directors’ meeting last week.
“This decision came after Iran refused to give the IAEA satisfactory explanations for traces of uranium found in sites that Iran failed to declare,” said Bennett.
“Iran’s belligerent actions should be a wake-up call for the international community and should be met with clear and strong consequences—increased pressure and holding Iran accountable at the U.N. Security Council. The only way for Iran to be stopped is if we act and stop them,” he said.
He concluded his remarks by stating that Israel and Europe were on a “very strong and positive trajectory.”
“Trade, innovation and economic cooperation are soaring. We’re witnessing our partnership reach new heights,” he said.
Von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi traveled to Israel on Monday, as the European Union seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports.