Jerusalem Post: Peres talks globalization with 5 new ambassadors

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
07/12/2012 01:33

President credits globalization with reducing racism, calls for increased investment in underdeveloped countries.

Ambassadors Jurk Boon Long of Thailand, Prahlad Kumar Prasal of Nepal, Branko Kosic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fernando Carderera Soler of Spain and non-resident ambassador Solo N. Mara of Fiji discussed globalization, bilateral scientific cooperation and specific local issues, each separately with the president.

Peres credited globalization with reducing racism. The time has come, Peres said, for global companies to group together, and do what governments can’t do, such as for instance investing in underdeveloped countries which will become their future markets.

Peres was gratified to hear King Bhumibol of Thailand was recovering from his illness and able to carry out royal visits and receptions. Long thanked Israel for sending water management experts to Thailand following last year’s floods. He also announced an October visit from Princess Chulabhorn Mahidal, who is involved in advancing scientific cooperation between the two countries, and has added the Hebrew Tzila to her name.

“She considers Israel her second home and always talks to people about Israel,” Long said.

On behalf of President Ram Baran Yadav, Prasal invited Peres to Nepal for an official visit, and Israeli businesses to invest in his country. Peres recalled the visit of Israel’s second president, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, to Nepal and his translation of several Nepalese poems.

Peres was curious about the workings of the presidency there, and Kosic explained that during the four years of the presidential term a Bosnian, a Croat and a Serb take eightmonth turns. He brought greetings from President Bakir Izetbegovic, a Bosnian, plus an invitation to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon Peres’s prompting, Kosic said he was hopeful an application to the EU could be made by the end of this year.

Carderera Soler, an expert on the EU, had the longest discussion with Peres, saying he was particularly honored to present his credentials to Peres, who had been prime minister in January 1986 and co-signatory with then-Spanish prime minister Felipe Gonzales, on the establishment of diplomatic ties. Peres congratulated Carderera Soler on Spain’s European Cup victory and said Spain had many soccer fans in Israel. They discussed solutions to Spain’s economic crisis and cooperation in science and technology. “You don’t have natural resources, but you have a brain – and you use it,” said Carderera Soler. “You have created a modern society because of the use of your brain.”

Peres told Mara, who brought greetings from President Brig.-Gen. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, that Israel appreciated Fiji’s courage and its friendship towards Israel. Mara thanked Israel for its agricultural, health and technical assistance, and looked forward to the same regarding renewable energy. Fiji plans to have a new constitution by 2013 with provisions for ethnic inclusiveness and equal economic opportunities.