Thursday,
February 09, 2012
16 Shevat, 5772
News
France
UK
Germany
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
EU-Israel affairs
US 2008 ELECTION
Iran - Holocaust
Conflict in Gaza
Voices
Culture
In Depth
Mideast Crisis
World Cup
On Anglo Jewry
Week at a glance
France Election
EU and Annapolis Summit
News from outside of Europe
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mumbai Terror
DURBAN II
WILLIAMSON
Stories from our Readers
The Calendar
Links
advertisement
wagerworks software

Importance of EU-Israel relations to be stated by EU leaders?
Updated: 08/Apr/2008 17:45
Patrick Child, cabinet chief of EU External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
Page tools
Email to friend
Print this page
Bookmark this page
Add your view

BRUSSELS (EJP)---The European Union might endorse later this year a new political statement stressing the importance of EU-Israel relations, an EU official said Tuesday.

"Such a statement is now circulating among the EU member states and could be endorsed at a summit meeting before the end of this year," Patrick Child, cabinet chief of EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said.
 
He was one of the speakers at an event in the European Parliament organized by B’nai B’rith International to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary.
 
Last week, Ferrero-Waldner announced that the EU would deepen its political dialogue with Israel and involve the country more closely in several EU policies, as part of the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU’s framework foreign policy covering its eastern and southern neighbours.
 
Israel was described as the "front-runner" among non-EU members participating in EU programs that range from scientific cooperation to trade integration.
 
A "reflection group" is considering areas where the future EU-Israel relations could be upgraded to a "special status”.
 
But Patrick Child said that while Israel is a leading country in the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU "cannot ignore" the political developments in the Mideast peace process.  
 
Speaking at the same event, Israel’s ambassador to the EU, Ran Curiel, praised the fact that after years of mistrust and suspicion, the EU and Israel have been able to develop a "mature political dialogue."   
 
"Israel and the EU have the same long-term interest," he added.
 
But he ruled out the idea of Israel joining the European Union even if the Israeli population appears to favour such a plan. "This is not in our cards. We have not asked to join the EU and we have not been asked to join," he said.
 
The EU and Israel are linked by an association agreement which came into force in 2000. The EU is Israel’s main trade partner and an EU-Israel Association Council meets annually at ministerial level.
 
This week's celebration of Israel’s anniversary in the framework of the European Parliament includes discussions hosted by MEPs on issues highlighting Israeli innovation in such fields as immigration absorption, development aid, environment and international cooperation.
 
 
 
 
 


 
Yossi Lempkowicz
Add Your View Email to friend Print this page Bookmark this page
Daily quote

Ninety-seven saint days a year wouldn’t affect the theater, but two Yom Kippurs would ruin it

Brendan Behan, Irish author, who was born on 9 February 1923 
 
Day in history
1994: Yugoslavia

Peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina announced (so called Vance-Owen peace plan)
 
Latest Articles
Lee Zeitouni’s family not allowed to attend CRIF dinner
German court caps Jewish ghetto pension claims
French government walks out of parliament after 'Nazi' taunt
EU will not recall its ambassador in Damascus, ‘important to have people to follow the situation’
EU says it will continue giving money to the Palestinian Authority despite deal with Hamas
Hungarian foreign ministry condemns Jobbik MP’s comments questioning the Holocaust and comparing Israel to a Nazi system
ADL welcomes US decision to close its embassy in Damascus