NATO, Israel to strengthen cooperation

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Quote:NATO, Israel to strengthen cooperation
Published: Dec. 2, 2008 at 8:59 PM
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BRUSSELS, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- NATO authorities Tuesday ratified the Individual Cooperation Program agreement with Israel in a move to strengthen security and diplomatic ties.

Foreign ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization met Tuesday with Tzipi Livni, Israeli vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. During the meeting Livni and the NATO officials ratified the Individual Cooperation Program agreement between Israel and the alliance, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

The ICP agreement is part of an effort to expand cooperation between Israel and NATO on counter-terrorism threats, among other ongoing security concerns. The ICP deal also expands intelligence sharing and the number of joint NATO-Israel military exercises.

"We see the boosting of cooperation between Israel and international security bodies as a strategic goal that adds to Israel's strength," Livni said in a statement.

"All of the free nations of the world who understand the nature of the terrorist threat recognize the need to form a united front against it."

UPI