The 27 agree to resume the Association Council with Israel after ten years in abeyance

BRUSSELS, July 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The foreign ministers of the European Union have agreed this Monday to resume the meetings of the Association Council with Israel after a decade in abeyance, although the date has yet to be set and the Twenty-seven will have to negotiate a common position first.

This was announced at a press conference at the end of a meeting of ministers in Brussels by the High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, who recalled that the last time a bilateral council was held with Israel was in 2012 .

The head of European diplomacy wanted to make it clear in his appearance that the position of the European Union “has not changed” regarding the Peace Process in the Middle East and will continue to defend its commitment to “a two-state solution”.

Borrell stressed that the bloc is aware that the situation in the Palestinian Territories “has deteriorated” but considers that the reactivation of the Association Council format is a “good opportunity” to address this concern with Israel.

The date for holding the meeting is yet to be determined because it will be agreed with Israel and because the EU countries must first establish their common position, although Borrell has considered that it will not be an impediment that elections are scheduled for November 1 in Israel.

“The ministers have unanimously agreed that if they are able to agree on a common position there is no need to wait for December or who knows when the new government will be formed”, explained the High Representative, when asked about the election date.