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Benita-Ferrero Waldner, EU External Relations Commissioner:A reflection group is currently considering areas “where we can substantially upgrade EU-Israel relations to a truly special status."
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BRUSSELS (EJP)---The European Union will deepen the political dialogue with Israel and involve the country "more closely in some EU policies like financial services or technological cooperation," External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the EU Commissioner said that the EU was "working on a targeted deepening of relations with some of our partners” in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU’s framework foreign policy to cover its eastern and southern neighbours.
Israel is 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 currently considering areas “where we can substantially upgrade EU-Israel relations to a truly "special status,” Ferrero-Waldner said.
Countries like Ukraine, Israel, Moldova and Morocco, Jordan and Georgia, and others, are now closer to European Union than ever before, she added.
“They have made gradual progress in their democratic and institutional reforms. Their economies are getting stronger. Our trade and investment have grown substantially, helping this economic development. And their administrations are receiving the best European know-how to become more efficient and accountable.”
Other countries participating in the ENP partnership include Algeria, Libya, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Armenia, Egypt, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
Israel is already the leading ENP partner associated with the 7th Framework Research Programme and the first ENP country to participate in the EU’s Competitiveness and Innovation Programme which supports small and medium businesses.
Israeli-European economic ties are growing as the parties seek to speedily integrate the strong and expanding Israeli economy into the huge European market, EU officials said.
The EU is Israel’s main trade partner, with imports representing 38 % and exports 33 %. Data for the first quarter of 2007 show an increase respectively of 7.2 and 3.0 % compared to the same period of 2006.
The EU and Israel signed an Association Agreement in 1995 in Brussels. In addition to the political dialogue, the agreement covers areas such as industry, energy, standards, financial servives, information infrastructures and telecommunications, transport and tourism.
The EU-Israel Association Council meets annually at ministerial level.
