Politics must not derail Israel's participation in EU projects (Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats <barkinganddagenham@libdems4london.org.uk>

Politics must not derail Israel's participation in EU projects

December 3, 2008 10:23 AM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

As part of its 'neighbourhood policy', the EU offers nearby countries in eastern Europe and the Mediterranean the opportunity to take part in EU research, cooperation and exchange programmes.

MEPs are set to vote on such participation by Israel, which has an association agreement with the EU, and whether it should be made conditional on 'respect for commitments towards a comprehensive political settlement.' This is the aim of the Socialist group (to which Labour MEPs belong) and the Green group.

London MEP Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman, is strongly opposed to the conditionality move:

"I am totally against these blunderbuss efforts which keep springing up in the European Parliament, to sanction or boycott Israel economically for perceived political misdemeanors. In a complex conflict situation it is both misguided and unjustified to try to single out one party for punishment. It takes two to tango, and the progress of the peace process depends as much on the Palestinians as on Israel."

"The EU must pursue economic cooperation and evenhanded diplomacy as twin channels of influence. I am not against justified criticism of Israeli policies, which an accompanying resolution delivers. But since Israel has much to offer Europe in spheres like in science and technology, preventing its participation in EU projects would just be shooting ourselves in the foot."

"I do however accept the restriction that organisations based in the occupied territories would not be eligible to take part, just as goods produced in the settlements cannot benefit from trade concessions, so checks will be made to ensure that Israeli involvement complies with EU law on this matter."

Notes to editors:

The 16 European Neighbourhood partners enjoying the right to take part in EU programmes are Algeria, Armenia, Palestinian Authority, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Moldova, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. Israel has already cooperated for a number of years in the research programme and while the EU is the second largest source of funding for research in Israel, Israel itself will contribute some €440 million for this programme in 2007-2013. Israel is the first ENP country to apply to participate in the 'Competitiveness and Innovation' programme. It has also expressed interest in the 'Culture' and 'Media 2007' programmes but must first ratify the UNESCO charter on cultural diversity.