BICOM

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in Jerusalem today for a state visit marking her third trip to Israel since 2008. Merkel will be accompanied by ministers of her cabinet, and will hold a joint Israeli-German cabinet meeting today. Israeli diplomatic sources say that the top issue during the joint cabinet meeting will be Iran and trade between the Islamic Republic and Berlin. The situation in Egypt will also be discussed in the meeting today.

During her visit, Merkel plans to sign a series of agreements and Memoranda of Understandings aimed at strengthening Israel and Germany’s relationship and expanding the mutual interests of both countries. The projects and agreements will focus improving industrial research, cooperating in providing aid to developing countries and strengthening ties between Israeli and German youth. During 2010, imports to Israel from Germany totaled £2.27 billion, while Israeli exports to that country amounted to £1.07 billion.