Brussels, 06/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The 7th session of the EU-Israel Association Council unfolded, according to both parties, in a good atmosphere. The president of the EU Council, Franck Walter Steinmeier, as well as his Israeli colleague, Tzipi Livni, praised the way these old and privileged relations have developed, stressing their “intensity”. A decision was taken to consolidate content through a contract group formed to this end. Its task will be to establish the “special status” enjoyed by Israel. It will have to identify the areas in which cooperation may be developed. Israel, which is active in research and development, is preparing to take part in the EU's 7th R&D programme and is invited to participate in various other programmes (such as Galileo) and Community agencies.
The ambient feeling of satisfaction seems, however, to be more for the economic rather than the political side. “I want to be quite honest”, said the Israeli foreign minister, thus attenuating the euphoria shown by her German colleague. Ms Livni stressed the link between the EU-Israel relationship and developments in the region, thus demonstrating that the evolution of dialogue with the Middle East has, and will, continue to have an influence on direct relations. She tempered the atmosphere still further by intimating that the consensus hailed by Mr Steinmeier was more valid for the first part - the formal exchange of speeches - but that it was still necessary to tackle the political themes covered during dinner, exchanges in this framework being generally more frank and less formal.
The still hypothetical formation of a Palestinian government of national unity and the European reaction to this, Iran and the threat that it implies against Israel and the region as a whole were the subjects covered over dinner. Earlier, during the press conference given by Mr Steinmeier, Ms Livni and Ms Ferrero-Waldner, the Israeli minister confirmed the positions expressed over recent weeks, namely that no dialogue with a Palestinian government was conceivable unless it conceded clear, explicit and formal recognition of the existence of the State of Israel, and unless it pledges to give up all activity that can be described as “terrorist” activity. Her position remains firm against all lifting of the financial boycott unless the conditions set out by the Quartet (or quatuor) have been fulfilled. As things stand, Hamas not only threatens Israel but also the “moderate Palestinians”, she said. Ms Livni indirectly criticised EU member states that are tempted to start up dialogue with a Palestinian government of national unity (one's thoughts turn to Italy) to encourage it to accept the conditions of the Quartet, that she invites first of all to assess the programme of such a government. Her comments on Iran were also firm and she calls on the EU to be as firm as possible against this country that is aiming to enter the nuclear era and which denies the Holocaust. The EU, however, also questioned the minister about the nuclear threat weighing on the region (EUROPE 9378). The EU “recalls that a comprehensive peace in the Middle East should also include a lasting settlement for the conflicts between Israel and Syria and between Israel and Lebanon”.
During the formal session, the European side congratulated Israel for its commitment in Neighbourhood Policy and for the setting up of thematic sub-committees, in particular that on “political dialogue”, a name that is more acceptable for the partner than the initial name of “human rights” committee. But, in the spirit of this dialogue, there was no lack of European criticism against “settlement activities, and the ongoing construction of the barrier on Palestinian lands as well as the demolition of Palestinian homes”, the “extra-judicial killings” and the economic stifling of the occupied lands. The EU has consistently condemned “all acts of terror”, whether these be Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel or Israeli attacks on Gaza, or extra-judicial killings. Such open talk no doubt prompted Ms Livni's cautious judgement regarding the quality of her country's relations with the EU. (fb)