Denmark and Israel “share the ideals of democratic liberty and social progress,” both being small countries which want to contribute within their means to “the cause of international peace and understanding,” Prime Minister Otto Krag stated here tonight in toasting Israel’s Premier David Ben-Gurion.
The comparison between the two countries was voiced by Premier Krag at an official state dinner for Mr. Ben-Gurion who arrived here today on the fourth leg of a month-long tour of the Scandinavian countries. Prior to coming here, he had visited Sweden, Norway and Finland.
A battalion of Denmark’s Air Force lined the Copenhagen airport when Mr. Ben-Gurion flew in from Helsinki as a Danish military band played the national anthems of Israel and Denmark. A group of Jewish children greeted Mr. Ben-Gurion with Israeli songs. In the official reception party, in addition to Mr. Krag, was also Foreign Minister Per Haekkerup. Tomorrow Mr. Ben-Gurion is to confer formally with both Mr. Krag and Mr. Kaekkerup.
Prior to his leaving Finland this morning, Mr. Ben-Gurion declared at a press conference in Helsinki that the issue of direct Israel-Arab peace talks did not come up during his conferences with Finnish officials. “We discussed only international and Middle East problems,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said at the press conference that he was certain trade relations between Finland and Israel could be enlarged. He said he considered the European Common Market the beginning of a United Europe which would be the greatest power in the world for keeping world peace.
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