The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Monday 12 July that the visit of the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, to the Foreign Affairs Council on the same day showed that there was a chance “for a fresh start and to strengthen (the) bilateral relationship” between the EU and the Jewish State.
However, these relations “are also conditioned by many issues on which we have differences”, he reminded the media at the end of the Council.
The EU-Israel Association Council has not met since 2012, due to the lack of unanimity among EU Member States to convene such a meeting. Its holding is linked, according to several Member States, to a change in Israel’s attitude towards its policy of colonisation of the Palestinian territories. Mr Borrell said it would be a good idea, “if the conditions are right”, to re-engage with Israel through the Council.
For his part, the Israeli Minister felt that there was “a new government, a new energy”, and that it was “time for a new page”. He explained that he wanted to base the relationship between his country and the EU on optimism. “I want us to work together on this: on the prospect of a better future. There is so much we can do together”, added Mr Lapid.
In addition to bilateral relations, the Ministers discussed the regional situation, in particular the Iranian nuclear agreement and the Middle East peace process. “We have an Israeli Foreign Minister who has publicly advocated the ‘two-State solution’ - which is the solution that we, the EU, strongly support”, Mr Borrell said. He added that the Ministers had been very interested in the Foreign Minister’s explanations and his willingness to improve the daily life of Palestinians. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)