Brussels, 19/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Despite Israeli pressure (see EUROPE 10891), the “guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards” were, as planned, published in the EU Official Journal on Friday 19 July.
In a press release, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlined that the document “reiterates the long-held position” of the EU whereby bilateral agreements with Israel do not cover the territory that came under Israel's administration in June 1967. “This is meant to clarify the EU's position in advance of negotiations of agreements with Israel during the forthcoming financial perspective commencing in 2014”, she explained. Although the provisions will not apply until 1 January 2014, the EU has invited Israel to “hold discussions on the territorial scope of agreements with the EU that are currently under preparation”. “The EU looks forward to working and consulting with Israel on a broad range of bilateral issues”, Ashton explained.
The high representative again specified that the guidelines in no way prejudge the outcome of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. “The EU is deeply committed to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and fully supports Secretary Kerry's intense efforts to restart negotiations at a particularly delicate stage”, she stated, saying that the “EU hopes to further contribute to an atmosphere conducive to a meaningful and sustainable negotiation leading to a peace agreement between the parties”.
On 18 July, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, invited French and British ambassadors and the second in charge of the German Embassy to discussions on the guidelines. They were asked to tell their capitals that the provisions were likely to cause a serious crisis in relations with Israel. (CG/transl.jl)