The European Union and Israel held high-level talks during the 12th meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in Brussels on October 3 – a decade after their last meeting.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell led the EU delegation while the Israeli delegation was headed by Elazar Stern, Minister of Intelligence of Israel.
Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid, joined the Association Council via video conference.
In his initial remarks, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell appreciated the clear support for the two-state solution proposed by Lapid in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. However, he expressed concerns over the “continued tension and violence on the ground and continuation of unilateral measures such as settlement expansion and the security issues.”
Borrell urged for peace in Palestinian territories and the Middle East Peace Process. Addressing the press upon his arrival at the EU Council building, Borrell said: “You cannot say that you have got peace because you have got peace with the Arab states. You also have to have peace with the Palestinians. This is very important for the European Union. The two peace processes are necessary”.
In his response via video conference, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid reassured his support for a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians.
“In my speech to the United Nations General Assembly, I expressed once more my commitment to the 2-state solution. But the Palestinians need to put an end to terrorism and incitement. Israel wants peace that will lead to security, not peace that will destabilize the Middle East,’’ he said.
Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank has now entered its 55th year. The last real peace talks ended in 2009, and critics say growing Israeli settlements in the West Bank and elsewhere undermine any hopes for a two-state solution.
The 12th Association Council meeting marked the first of its kind between the two sides since July 2012.