(vancouversun).Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty steered clear of an international controversy over building in east Jerusalem during an hour-long meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday.
After the private meeting, McGuinty said politics were not on the agenda.
"We didn't get into that at all," he told reporters.
Instead, the two men discussed progressive policy issues, including education reforms, renewable energy and clean water technology.
McGuinty described the meeting as very constructive.
"It was one of the most constructive and positive meetings I've ever had with an international leader," the premier said.
McGuinty said before the trip he would not raise the issue of settlements. He has planned a visit to the West Bank later this week.
"I won't be talking about federal policy or foreign policy or weighing in on diplomatic issues," he said in a recent interview.
The Ontario premier is leading a six-day trade delegation to the Middle East in part to better understand the Israelis' success at nurturing innovation and attracting venture capital.
After the private meeting, McGuinty said politics were not on the agenda.
"We didn't get into that at all," he told reporters.
Instead, the two men discussed progressive policy issues, including education reforms, renewable energy and clean water technology.
McGuinty described the meeting as very constructive.
"It was one of the most constructive and positive meetings I've ever had with an international leader," the premier said.
McGuinty said before the trip he would not raise the issue of settlements. He has planned a visit to the West Bank later this week.
"I won't be talking about federal policy or foreign policy or weighing in on diplomatic issues," he said in a recent interview.
The Ontario premier is leading a six-day trade delegation to the Middle East in part to better understand the Israelis' success at nurturing innovation and attracting venture capital.