26/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Council has formally adopted the decision which concludes the EU-Israel Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement. The agreement was signed on 20 November 1995 and received the assent of the European Parliament in February 1996. After hesitation on the part of France and Belgium, it was ratified by all Member States. Of a limited duration, it provides for regular political dialogue, the progressive establishment of a free trade area, provisions relating to freedom of establishment, the liberalisation of services, the free movement of capital and competition rules, and the strengthening of economic cooperation and social and cultural cooperation.