Foreign Minister George Vella has held talks in Jerusalem with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Libermann.

The Foreign Ministry said they discussed the Middle East peace process as well as relations between the two countries. Mr Libermann welcomed the visit to Israel by r Vella as a further sign of growing co-operation in various sectors. He also noted  increased ‘people to people’ contacts through tourism and commercial exchanges, the ministry said.

He Libermann that the situation concerning the Israeli-Palestinian question was not an encouraging one and that as a member of the European Union, Malta had a role in addressing this situation.

Dr Vella reiterated the position that disproportionate use of force in Gaza and continued settlement construction on Palestinian land as delineated by pre-1967 borders were serious setbacks to the possibility of reaching a durable solution. He underlined Malta’s commitment to a two state solution based also on an undisputed right for Israel to live within safe and secured borders.

Minister Vella also held meetings with the Leader of the Opposition Isaac Herzog, Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and the Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee, Ze'ev Elkin.

He also visited the Vad Yashem Memorial in Jerusalem where he laid a wreath in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust.

Dr Vella is on a Middle East tour which also included Amman and the Palestinian territories.