Mediocrates
05-27-2009, 05:50 AM
http://euobserver.com/9/28184
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU is unlikely to upgrade relations with Israel when its foreign minister comes to Brussels in June, after a six month break in normal bilateral talks.
A group of EU countries including Belgium, Sweden and Portugal remains opposed to the move. The Netherlands has in the past stood almost alone in advocating it, while most member states are keeping silent.
The delicate situation arises from uncertainty on whether the new Israeli government will sign up to a two-state solution on Palestine, curb settlement expansion and let more aid into Gaza.
EU relations with Arab countries are also at stake, with Israel's bloody incursion into Gaza in January still fresh in the minds of its neighbours.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU is unlikely to upgrade relations with Israel when its foreign minister comes to Brussels in June, after a six month break in normal bilateral talks.
A group of EU countries including Belgium, Sweden and Portugal remains opposed to the move. The Netherlands has in the past stood almost alone in advocating it, while most member states are keeping silent.
The delicate situation arises from uncertainty on whether the new Israeli government will sign up to a two-state solution on Palestine, curb settlement expansion and let more aid into Gaza.
EU relations with Arab countries are also at stake, with Israel's bloody incursion into Gaza in January still fresh in the minds of its neighbours.