Mr Tusk assured Mr Netanyahu of Poland's full support Courtesy of KPRM

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was in Israel earlier this week, where he met with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. The main theme of the visit was the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, which the Jewish state has been eyeing nervously.

“This is a moment of great trial for us all,” said the Polish PM. Recognizing the “special role of Israel,” he added that while freedom and democracy in the Middle East and North Africa were important, stability and security were equally key.

At a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Mr Tusk declared that, in his view, Israel has a right to expect full international support for stability, security and peace in the region.

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also sought to assure Israel of Poland's support. The two nations have traditional historical ties, he said, and are increasing economic cooperation.

“There is more going in the Middle East than we would wish for. Israel is well informed on these issues and its point of view is important for us,” he said at a press conference preceding the prime ministers’ meeting.

In January 2010, Mr Tusk and Mr Netanyahu pledged to deepen and develop Polish-Israeli relations. Last week in Jerusalem the two agreed that intergovernmental meetings should be held once a year, and that the next consultation will be held in 2012 in Poland.

Mr Tusk was accompanied by an important delegation comprising Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Defense Minister Bogdan Klich, Education Minister Katarzyna Hall, Health Minister Ewa Kopacz, Deputy Culture Minister Piotr Żuchowski and a host of other politicians and officials.

Representatives of the delegation signed agreements on cooperation between the two governments in various fields, including health, water supply, sustainable energy, youth exchanges and bilateral defense.

The latter will comprise technology exchanges, training and joint drills, according to press reports.