‘No great substance’ from EU-Israel meeting
AFP PHOTO GEORGES GOBET
The EU’s relationship with Israel will continue to grow after the latest Association Council meeting on 24 July where the EU committed to 60 policy actions in 15 different fields.
Co-operation between the two parties will aim to place more meat on the bones of the agreed ‘action plan’ that promotes a partnership in political, social, financial issues alongside mutually beneficial trade and investment.
The talks, that took place in Brussels, reviewed all of what they saw as the main achievements of the past year, in the areas of agriculture, Israel’s participation in the EU internal market, transport and social affairs and advancements in science.
“What was decided at the meeting was pretty standard.” Said Vivien Pertusot, head of the Brussels office of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).
“There was no great substance, and there continued to be a separation of political and technical issues at the council, and there is more of a focus in areas like trade relations, its always difficult to know how to approach Israel in more contentious areas.”
European Commission figures reveal why trade has become such an important issue for both parties, as figures from 2011 reveal total trade has grown to €29.4 billion, with the EU benefiting from €16.8 billion in exports to Israeli businesses and consumers.
Only the US now provides the 27 member states with a larger export trade market.
The Association Council took criticism before the discussions began for a perceived soft stance on the progress of Israel’s relationship with Palestine, and just how far the EU would push them on the two-state solution that the EU has resolutely supported.
Only weeks ago in May a Foreign Affairs Council Meeting concluded ten principles necessary for the Middle East Peace Process to move forward, some of which strongly rebuked Israel for the direction of its association with Palestine.
The criticisms included allowing the acceleration of settlement building on the West Bank following a moratorium that ended in 2010, and the recent decision by the Israeli government to relocate settlers from the Migron area of occupied Palestinian territory.
In accordance with international law the EU reiterates that settlements are illegal, and will not recognise any border changes that have occurred since the end of the 1967 war.
Anything that threatens the viability of the two-state solution needs to be overcome in the eyes of Brussels through persistent negotiation.
Concerns have also been raised over the ‘Area C’ part of the West Bank, where Israel commands all security planning and construction. EU foreign ministers expressed their concerns over the worsening living conditions for Palestinians living in those areas, and the limitations that have halted attempts for economic growth in Palestinian communities.
“The talks can be seen as being a little soft on Israel with regard to the statement that was released in May, the peace process is not moving and different policies are needed away from the technical path.” IFRI’s Vivien Pertusot explained.
“Although its difficult for the EU and the institutions to put through stronger policies on Israel, and the leverage that they have is not always great, as Israel could easily limit the scope of trade relations if the EU began to press them on the Palestine issue. There are some countries that would not dream of approaching Israel in that way, and you other risk after effects if you did, like upsetting the US.”
The EU did though express their concern about the treatment of the Arab minority and the Bedouin community, and confirmed this in the press statement after the meeting that read “We have also discussed some domestic developments in the area of human rights and democratic freedoms in Israel, since our renewed neighbourhood policy focuses not only on mutual interests but also very much on values.”
The importance of the roles of NGO’s and civil society organisations were also emphasised in ensuring that freedom of association and speech remain in tact.
There are many examples of how the EU themselves are directly helping minorities in Israel, including an education project on raising rights awareness and empowerment of Bedouin boys and girls. The European Commission has pledged €47,540, 80% of the budget of the programme, that began in January last year and will end in December 2013.
Other programmes that the EU have been involved in include raising employment for women, and to promote better migration management across Israel.
Collaborations began between the EU and Israel in 1995 with the signing of the Association Agreement that established the flow of dialogue in strengthening ties, the framework of the agreement is carried out by the Association Council.
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