JERUSALEM (EJP)--- An Israeli inter-ministerial group met in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss methods of “upgrading” the relationship between Israel and the EU.

A statement by the Israeli foreign ministry said the discussions were prompted by what it sees as the increased involvement of the European Union in Middle Eastern affairs as well as the mutual interest in “promoting political, economic, cultural and social relations”.

There has been a perceived increase in connection between European and Israeli leaders in recent months with British foreign secretary Margaret Beckett making an official visit to the country this week and her Hungarian and Irish counterparts here a week ago.

Since the election of the Hamas government to the Palestinian Legislative Council in early 2006 Israel and the EU have worked closely to monitor the situation.

The EU was previously the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority but has since refused to give money to the PA until Hamas officially recognises Israel and previous agreements with the PA and renounces violence.

Upcoming Council

The inter-ministerial group came in preparation for the meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council to be held in Brussels on 5 March 2007 with the participation of Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni.

This project was initiated with the cooperation of the Israeli National Security Council and the participation of representatives of government ministries, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.

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While the recommendations of the working group will not be made public until they have been discussed by directors-general of the ministries concerned and then presenting them to the government for approval, foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev stressed the importance of a strong relationship between the EU and Israel.

“Israel attaches great importance to its relationship with the EU,” he told EJP. “I think there’s a mutual desire in Brussels to upgrade our relations with Europe.”

German presidency

The discussions also focused on the agenda of the six-month German EU presidency, which began in January 2007.

The Germans said one of their main aims is the promotion of the European Neighbourhood Policy which strengthen political, trade, economic and human rights agreements between the EU and nearby countries. Participants include both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“The European Commission is also dedicated to promoting this policy, and has recently published proposals to strengthen it. These proposals include, among others, the possibility of opening EU programs and agencies to Israeli participation,” the Israeli foreign ministry statement said.