Brussels, 29/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 26 July, the European Union expressed its concern about possible restrictions on EU activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, following the EU's guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli undertakings for European funding (see EUROPE 10889). Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said that the EU is concerned by reports in the Israeli media that the Israeli defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, had decided to introduce a number of restrictions on EU activities, particularly those to help the Palestinians. She added that the EU had not received any official communication from the Israeli authorities but that its delegations on the ground were seeking “urgent clarification” of this matter. On 29 July, the spokesperson was unable to provide any further clarification.
According to Israeli media, EU officials had been refused access to the Gaza Strip and several European requests in relation to projects in the occupied territories had been refused. (CG/transl.fl)