20.05.2025 21:23
Following the suspension of free trade agreement negotiations between the UK and Israel, the European Union also took action. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that the EU has decided to review the Association Agreement that grants trade privileges to Israel. The EU is Israel's largest trading partner.
The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that the EU will review the Partnership Agreement that grants trade privileges to Israel.
EU TO REVIEW PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL
Speaking to reporters after the EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Brussels, Kallas stated that the majority of member countries supported the Netherlands' proposal to review the EU-Israel Partnership Agreement. The EU High Representative said, "Therefore, we will initiate this work. In the meantime, it is up to Israel to lift the humanitarian aid barrier."
EU IS ISRAEL'S LARGEST TRADE PARTNER
In response to questions from journalists about when the review process would yield results, Kallas replied, "We are starting this work, and in the meantime, we really hope for the lifting of the humanitarian aid barrier and for the situation to improve." The EU is Israel's largest trade partner.
The EU-Israel Partnership Agreement, which came into force in 2000, provides the legal framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation between the parties. The second article of the agreement conditions the partnership on "commitment to human rights and international law."
The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who submitted the relevant proposal, informed Kallas in a letter that the blockade in Gaza violates international humanitarian law and thus breaches Article 2 of the Partnership Agreement regulating trade between the EU and Israel.
UK SUSPENDS FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TALKS
Meanwhile, the UK has suspended free trade agreement talks with Tel Aviv due to Israel's expansion of attacks in the Gaza Strip. The London administration also summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Office. Additionally, it was announced that a decision had been made to impose sanctions on Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.