European countries have been traditional trading partners due to their proximity. A free trade agreement with the European Union (since 1975) has further bolstered ties to western Europe. Eastern European economic relationships have expanded rapidly following political changes in those countries in recent years. Various free trade agreements are under negotiation. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/

The "Neighborhood" policy of the EU includes Israel.  They are playing ball because their economy depends on it.

Remember that Shalom said: ""Israel and Europe share deep-rooted values, the close relationship between us is a strategic asset to both sides,"

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2004/mjm122-29.htm

Did you know that …

· the EU is Israel’s major trading partner;

· the European Commission and Israel recently initialled an agreement liberalising most of their agricultural trade (preferential treatment with or without quotas);

· on 30 October 2003, the Palestinian Authority and Israel signed an agreement under EU auspices, aimed at regulating electricity sale and purchase agreements between the Palestinian Distribution Companies and the Israeli Electricity Corporation. The purpose of the commercial agreements is to lower the price and ensure continuity of supply of electricity for Palestinian consumers. Furthermore, the European Commission intends to promote funding of emergency electricity infrastructure projects of common interest;

· Israel was the first and only non-European country to be fully associated to the European Community’s Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development;

· in the FP5, which ended in 2002, Israeli organisations participated in 623 cooperative projects with EU partners, representing an estimated total funding of around 165 million €;

· the agreement associating Israel to the 6th Framework Programme (FP6 2003-2006) was signed in Brussels on 10 June 2003, and that first results show that Israel continues to play a very active role with some 140 proposals selected involving Israeli partners;

· the European Commission initiated negotiations with Israel with a view to conclude a Cooperation Agreement on Galileo (EU project for a Global Navigation Satellite System) by mid-2004;

· an Israeli company - InSightec – was among the three winners of the European 2003 IST Grand Prize awarded in Milan, on 2 October 2003, at the IST 2003 conference ‘The opportunities Ahead’. This prize is an award for groundbreaking products that represent the best of European innovation in information technology;

· Israel can participate in Tempus projects, aimed at the development of Universities’ networks and restructuring of higher education;

· the new Erasmus Mundus programme (scholarships to third country students), which becomes operational in the course of 2004, will involve Israel.

The covenant of peace of Daniel 9:27 is not far away.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
 
 

We know that Israel will agree to partner with the AC. All in the name of peace.

Israel is only a word or two away from reaching an agreement that will give it many of the same rights afforded states within the European Union.

"We are close to concluding this chapter in the action plan. It's just a question of one or two words," said EU President Bernard Bot, who is also the Dutch foreign minister.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1101709702660