The council, which last met in 2012, is in charge of promoting E.U.-Israel relations • Israeli premier hails the E.U. foreign ministers’ unanimous vote as “proof of Israel’s diplomatic strength.”
(July 19, 2022 / JNS) The European Union Foreign Affairs Council voted unanimously on Monday to resume Association Council meetings with Israel, the last of which was held in 2012.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the decision, saying, “The fact that 27 EU Foreign Ministers have voted unanimously in favor of strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Israel is proof of Israel’s diplomatic strength and this government’s ability to create new opportunities with the international community.”
The Association Council is the senior diplomatic body in charge of promoting relations between Israel and the European Union, including in the diplomatic, economic and technology spheres, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Then-Foreign Minister Lapid defined the reconvening of the Association Council as a primary objective for Israel-E.U. relations at a meeting of E.U. foreign ministers last year, according to the statement.
Monday’s vote is the latest in a series of improvements in Israel-E.U. relations over the past year, including the signing of the Horizon Europe agreement on R&D cooperation and visits to the Jewish state by senior E.U. officials.
