AFP/Rome
Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno poses with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara in Rome yesterday
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a ceremony in Rome yesterday in honour of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, on the eve of diplomatic meetings in the Italian capital.
Netanyahu is to meet Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today on a visit set to focus on Israel’s efforts to get world leaders to oppose a Palestinian plan to seek UN recognition and membership in September.
Israel’s Ynet website reported that Israel was pressuring Berlusconi to issue a joint statement with Netanyahu restating his opposition to the plan.
Netanyahu is travelling with nine of his ministers and nine bilateral agreements between the two countries are to be signed during the visit.
Israel earlier this month denied reports of a breakthrough in negotiations to free Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants in 2006.
Speaking to Israeli public radio, Israel’s ambassador in Rome Gideon Meir said at least nine bilateral agreements would be signed during the visit.