Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this morning met with a delegation of senior German corporate and company executives, who are currently visiting Israel as the guests of the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry.

Prime Minister Olmert briefed his guests on the status of the process with the Palestinians and on the preparations ahead of the beginning of negotiations in the wake of the Annapolis meeting.  The Prime Minister stressed the economic development of the Palestinian Authority and the importance of international investments in the PA economy.

Prime Minister Olmert and his guests also discussed Iran's efforts to equip itself with nuclear weapons.  The Prime Minister made it clear that he attributes great importance to the imposition of comprehensive sanctions – both diplomatic and economic – on Iran.