After a year of negotiation, Israel and the EU entered a new phase of negotiations on Monday during the annual EU-Israel General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
The negotiation process between Israel and the EU was initiated more than a year ago in a meeting of the Association Council with Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, in recognition of Israel's upcoming 60th anniversary. Accelerated negotiations between Israel and the EU are now set to begin.
Possible Integration of Israel in European Market
Israeli-EU relations will be addressed in three areas: increased diplomatic cooperation; Israel's participation in European plans and agencies; and examing the possibility of Israeli integration into the European market.
A framework agreement was signed for Israel to enter EU programs. A high-level business dialogue has also been established between the Israeli and European business community. Negotiations on free trade in financial services are also about to begin.
European Norms and Standards
Israel will join European agencies, programs, and working groups to bring the Israeli economy and society closer to European norms and standards, to increase the competitiveness of Israeli companies in the European market, primarily in the field of high-tech.
The current president of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, pointed out that Israel is an important partner for the European Union and, likewise, the European Union is an important partner for Israel: "There are numerous historic, cultural and economic ties between us. Therefore, the developments in these regions are of common concern to us; to this end, we must maintain lasting dialogue and highly developed cooperation."
Israeli minister of foreign affairs Tzipi Livni said, "It is clear that Israel and Europe share the same values and the same interests. The political dialogue between us has improved substantially both in quantity and in frequency."