| Author (Person) | Cronin, David |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.36, 21.10.04 |
| Publication Date | 21/10/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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By David Cronin A DISAGREEMENT with Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians is frustrating the European Commission's hopes of forging closer links with the Union's neighbours before the end of Romano Prodi's presidency. The outgoing EU executive is eager to adopt proposals on future relations with Israel, Ukraine, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority at its final meeting on Tuesday (26 October). The plans are part of the EU's Neighbourhood Policies, designed to allow countries bordering the Union to participate in EU activities. Officials say the main obstacle to realizing the package is a disagreement between the Commission and Ariel Sharon's government over the action plan for Israel. An Israeli source said that references sought by the Commission to the need for a Middle East peace settlement and Israel's long-fraught relations with its neighbours were not worded in a way that Israel would find acceptable. Friction has also emerged over the Commission's insistence that there be a clause opposing weapons of mass destruction in the plan, similar to the one included in the EU's association agreement with Syria this week. Inserting that clause has been hampered by Israel's rejection of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the secrecy surrounding its nuclear activities. The source added that intense dialogue between the two sides has seen the outstanding questions whittled down to three “touchy issues” from more than ten a fortnight ago. “It is true that this is not an easy task,” said the source. “But the momentum is there and we want to keep it.” Steven Everts from the Centre for European Reform said: “The EU should stick to its guns on Israel. There are legitimate questions about whether there is enough substance to the European Neighbourhood Policy. But if I was to target a pressure point, I would say put the emphasis on the peace process.” Article says that a disagreement with Israel over its conflict with the Palestinians was frustrating the European Commission's hopes of forging closer links with the Union's neighbours before the end of Romano Prodi's presidency. The outgoing EU executive was eager to adopt proposals on future relations with Israel, Ukraine, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority at its final meeting on 26 October 2004. The plans were part of the EU's Neighbourhood Policies, designed to allow countries bordering the Union to participate in EU activities. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Countries / Regions | Eastern Europe, Europe, Middle East |
