Brussels, 18/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen said during a visit to Jerusalem this week, that Israel could become a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) (currently composed of the EU15 plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland). This would allow Israel to strengthen its bilateral relations with the EU in the context of the new concept of a Wider Europe, and also to have free access to the wider European market (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4). Joining the EEA would be the "most realistic and easily achievable" solution for Israel, while EU membership is "not on the agenda", the Commissioner said. "As a member of the EEA, Israel would have total access to the European market for its goods, capital, services and people", Mr Verheugen said. He believes that this country will not have any problem in fulfilling the economic criteria for EEA membership (mainly, that of a real market economy). With regards the Middle East crisis, Mr Verheugen admitted that it would of course be easier to obtain the support of the EU15 for Israel's EEA membership if the Quartet's Roadmap for settlement of the conflict were applied.