Brussels, response
In an effort to put pressure on Tel Aviv, the Netherlands made a proposal at a meeting of the European Foreign Ministry on May 20 to begin a debate on the revision of Article 2 of the EU Connection Agreement – which came into force in 2000. This agreement sets out EU – Israeli trade relations but the emphasis on the EU – Israeli. This is because it provides that EU -Israel relations as well as all the provisions of the agreement itself are based on respect for human rights and democratic authorities.
In other words, the Dutch and the majority of European Foreign Ministry, as EU foreign policy chief said Kayathey were in favor of the discussion on her.
However, diplomatic sources in Brussels told Vima that there was no vote but on the contrary, several countries were orally in favor of or against the Dutch proposal. “From the Foreign Ministry’s positions it was clear that there was a majority in favor of revising the Israeli connection agreement […] That’s why Callas took the initiative to announce her » They said.
The camps
Countries in favor, such as Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands, have large Muslim populations and are afraid of internal reactions. Those who have been opposed to the Dutch proposal come mainly from the conservative Trampic camp (Hungary, Slovakia) and countries with traditional close relations with Israel, such as the Czech Republic and Poland.
he said to the “Vima” European diplomat: “Athens expressed reservations about the Dutch proposal and insisted on the need for open channels with Israel in order for Europe to have a mediating role in the Middle East.”.
In practice, diplomatic sources say the Dutch proposal was more a political message to Tel Aviv than a “substance”, as it is unlikely to review the EU -Israeli connection agreement, which is currently considered unlikely.
For some in Brussels, the Greek -Israel relationship with a look at Ankara, in combination with Greek defense plans for the development of “Iron Dome” in the Aegean with Israeli subscription, explains Athens’ attitude. However, the non -signature of Athens in a letter called by Israel to open the corridors to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, as it signed it until Italy Georgia – known for her support in Donald Trump.
The official excuse of Athens was that it was a state-of-law initiative and not an institutional movement on the part of the Council.
The letter from London
The letter was signed by 17 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Sweden Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom). It was even published on the official website of the European External Action Service of the Commission.
“The Step” contacted the Commission and asked if this letter had been sent to all EU states for gathering signatures. “The United Kingdom was coordinating it and communicating with various countries » responded to a spokesman for the Commission.
It is not yet clear whether Athens received this letter, but a second diplomat stressed that “This kind of letters usually go to all capitals.”
