Benita Ferrero-Waldner-09/05/2007

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, (Haaretz)

"The European Union has a dense network of formal agreements and over 130 delegations around the world to cooperate with countries on issues of mutual interest. The EU is also carrying out police and military missions. We have deployed over 60,000 military personnel and civilians around the world, delivering support in crisis situations in the Middle East, Africa and post-tsunami Indonesia. Of particular interest for Israel are the EU's involvement in southern Lebanon via UNIFIL and the Border Assistance Mission in Rafah.

The European Neighbourhood Policy has been designed to prevent the creation of dividing lines between the European Union and its neighbors. As a result of that policy, and more specifically the joint Action Plan we agreed on with Israel two years ago, bilateral relations between Israel and the EU are today deeper and stronger than ever before. We do not agree on everything, but there is definitely a new spirit of collaboration in the air.

We have enhanced our cooperation with Israel in recent years in areas as diverse as political dialogue, counter-terrorism, the promotion of trade and investment, and the fight against racism and anti-Semitism. Our partnership in science as well as research and development is already well established. We now want to take our relations forward by deepening our political dialogue and our economic and trade ties via stronger cooperation on energy and transport and through enhanced cooperation between researchers, scientists, artists and young people.

In the years ahead we will continue to work with Israel on the major issues confronting us all: transnational terrorism, security, conflict resolution, climate change, energy, and managing the forces of globalization. We will also work with Israel to promote and uphold the values we share and which we believe hold the key to prosperity in Europe and everywhere else in the world."

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