Germany, Israel upgrade relations

Israel and Germany upgraded their ties yesterday, approving a host of joint projects and agreeing to hold annual government consultations, in one of the highlights of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's three-day visit marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's creation.

Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert chaired a joint session of members of the German and Israeli Cabinets, at which both governments signed off on a range of projects, including in education, the environment and defense. The two sides agreed to hold such meetings once a year, alternating as hosts.