JERUSALEM — The German government will donate $13 million to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Israel over the next 10 years.

The agreement was signed Wednesday by visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who met with Holocaust survivors at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.

“The German government recognizes Yad Vashem as the world center for Holocaust documentation, research and education, and understands its special meaning for the Jewish people and the world at large,” said Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev in a statement. “This agreement strengthens the obligation of the German government and the German people regarding Holocaust remembrance.”

Also Wednesday, Westerwelle said that Germany has upgraded the Palestinian diplomatic delegation in Berlin to a mission, which will be led by an ambassador.

France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland have taken similar action in recent months.