Israel, Germany Sign Military Deal

Merkel and Olmert chaired a joint session of members of their respective cabinets, at which both governments signed off on a range of projects, including in education, the environment and defense.

The security cooperation agreement signed between Israeli war minister Ehud Barak and his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung includes joint military training projects.

The two sides agreed to hold such meetings once a year, alternating as hosts.

This means, for example, developing protection for both the German and Israeli armed forces against such threats as ballistic missiles, a member of the German delegation to Israel said.

The two countries will also exchange more military personnel, expanding an exchange programme launched in 1998 to include officers and cadets from their navies and air forces.

The bilateral agreement, which comes during a three-day visit to Israel by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, includes also wider cooperation on environment protection, scientific research and cultural exchanges.



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