Tel Aviv, 24.02.2014: Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Cabinet ministers arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in the evening for German-Israeli government consultations.
They then travelled on to Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara welcomed the Chancellor.
Angela Merkel and Benjamin Netanyahu had their first meeting that evening. These were the fifth government consultations.
Jerusalem, 25.02.2014: The Cabinet ministers' meetings began on Tuesday. Six cooperation agreements were signed.
The two governements stressed the importance of finding a swift solution to the problem of backpayments of pensions to former ghetto workers.
It was also agreed that the second German-Israeli research forum will be held in 2015. The aim is to continue successful cooperation in the field of research.
In future Germany will provide consular services for Israeli citizens in countries where Israel has no consulate.
The defence ministers would like to further improve links in the defence sector.
The Middle East peace process and Iran's nuclear programme are also some of the main points on the agenda.
They also discussed anniversary preparations - in 2015 Germany and Israel will celebrate fifty years of diplomatic relations.
Angela Merkel and Benjamin Netanyahu stressed their common goal of further developing the unique relations and the close links between the two states.
The two governments aim to foster dialogue and strengthen links between young people in Israel and Germany.
A lunch for all participants marked the end of the government consultations.
Then, the Chancellor was received by Israeli President Shimon Peres and presented with a special award.
She was presented with the Presidential Award of Distinction, the highest order of the state of Israel, for her services to Israeli-German friendship.
Before the President bid the Chancellor goodbye they had a chance to talk.