Brussels, 21/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although the freeze on upgrading EU-Israel relations continues, “an effort was made in 2012 to inject greater dynamism in the partnership”, states the European Commission in its 2012 report on Israel. The agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (ACAA) came into force at the beginning of 2013. The report underlines that “no significant changes” were observed in implementing the 2011 recommendations and it reiterates the situation with Palestine.
Israel must pay particular attention to women's rights in the face of ultra orthodox groups, and it must also pay attention to the rights of the Arab minority, the report points out. Efforts must be continued and stepped up to fight against violence in the occupied territories, account must be taken of the excessive use of administrative detention, and internal procedures should be set up for stateless persons. The EU also asks Israel to address control deficiencies for plant products for export, and to proceed towards the signature of the EU-Israel comprehensive civil aviation agreement. (CG/transl.fl)