Solana: EU will decide on ties with Israel after it unveils Palestinian strategy

The European Union will decide what to do about a frozen upgrade in ties with Israel once Israel unveils its Palestinian strategy review, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Wednesday.

 

Solana said "not much has advanced" in a meeting with new Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Prague and the Israeli side was fully aware of the EU's position, which insists on a two-state solution. (Reuters)

EU intensifies policy on support to reforms in neighbouring countries

published on Thursday, April 23, 2009 under Cooperation & Development

In its annual Progress Reports, the European Commission takes stock of the concrete reform achievements made by countries within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in 2008 and identifies the areas where further efforts are needed. Individual country reports for each country with an ENP Action Plan and a sectoral report accompany the policy paper.

Despite a generally difficult context (global economic and financial crisis, conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, Israel's intervention in Gaza in December 2008/January 2009), the EU’s relations with its neighbours have further intensified in 2008. Europe's partners have shown progress in reforming their economies and providing better opportunities for their societies through modernisation efforts, leading to many achievements in key areas of cooperation such as much closer political contacts, increased trade, deeper cooperation on research and innovation, more youth mobility, etc. 

In its policy paper on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the Commission provides an overview of developments in 12 ENP countries, also highlighting the impact of the financial crisis on them and proposing a number of ways the EU could contribute to their recovery process.

Ties were also substantially strengthened through two new regional frameworks which complement the differentiated bilateral relations: the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership. Building on the Barcelona Process, the Union for the Mediterranean has given renewed vigour to Europe’s relationship with its Southern neighbours. The European Commission has also proposed an ambitious Eastern Partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, offering a wide and ambitious agenda for deepening the EU's ties to these countries.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy pointed out that “year 2008 has clearly demonstrated the strategic importance of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The economic and financial crisis, violent conflicts in our neighbourhood and political instability all impact on the security and prosperity of EU citizens. Therefore, it remains crucial for the EU to provide tangible, targeted and credible support to our neighbours to create mutual security and prosperity dividends”.

Main results of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

• Political cooperation was strengthened
• Economic integration and trade exchanges were boosted
• Visa facilitation and fight against illegal migration
• Cooperation on justice
• Energy cooperation entered into new phase
• Transport links are strengthened

The EU assistance to ENP partners has also increased in 2008: €1.71 billion was committed in comparison to €1.67 billion committed in 2007.

Neighbourhood policy: conditional approval for Israel to widen its participation in Community programmes

2008-11-07 09:52
The EP Foreign Affairs Committee this Thursday gave its assent for increased participation by Israel in Community programmes as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy. An accompanying resolution links this participation to respect for the commitments given by Israel at the Annapolis summit. Companies and organisations based in the settlements in the occupied territories must not be eligible to take part, say MEPs.
The resolution, drafted by Véronique De Keyser (PES, BE) and adopted by 45 votes to 0 with 4 abstentions, together with the EP assent recommended by the Foreign Affairs Committee, will enable Israel, like other countries in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to take more part in EU programmes.

Israel is already fully associated in the EU framework programme for research and development and Israeli bodies have taken part in over 600 research projects under the Sixth Framework Programme.

This cooperation with Israel can serve as an example for cooperation with other Neighbourhood Policy partner countries, believe MEPs. Israel is the first ENP country to ask to take part in Community programmes, something which is allowed under its ENP guideline document of May 2004.

The other 16 ENP partners (Algeria, Armenia, Palestinian Authority, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Moldova, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine) enjoy the same right to take part in Community programmes.

Israeli settlements in occupied territories not eligible

MEPs call on the Commission and Member States to verify that any participation by Israeli entities in Community programmes complies with EU law and policies.

Measures should be taken to prevent participation in these programmes by Israeli companies and organisations based in the settlements, by tightening up checks on Israeli products imported into the EU under preferential trade rules.

Infringement proceedings should be started if products from the occupied Palestinian territories bearing Israeli labels are exported to the Union.

Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

MEPs remind the parties of the commitments they made in Annapolis to hold negotiations with a view to concluding a peace treaty by the end of 2008, including respect for Israel's right to live in security and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.