Last Update: 07/12/2004 13:21
 
WMD non-proliferation clause delays EU-Israeli deal
 
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent
 
Disagreement between Israel and the European Union are delaying the completion of an agreement that would allow Israeli involvement in European projects.
 
 
According to diplomatic sources, the relatively minor and semantic disagreement deals with one word. However, this one word appears within a very sensitive context: the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The agreement is part of a European process that started in 1995 and is intended to strengthen EU economic, legal, security and cultural relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors.
The EU has already complete negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and five other states.

The agreement also deals with international consultations and cooperation relating to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Israel insists that the understandings reached not deviate from the status quo of the past years, namely that the banishing of WMD from the Middle East does not happen until after the completion of regional peace processes.

Europe accepts Israel's basic position, but there is a debate regarding the definition of the nature of negotiations over non-proliferation.

In his most recent meeting with European foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Israel has gone as far as is possible on the matter.

Sources in Israel, however, say it is possible to settle the differences of opinion.

Shalom and his European counterparts will attend a meeting next Monday in Brussels. Israel hopes agreement will be reached at that meeting.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/511237.html

 

Notice that the EU already recognized the PA and Palestinian statehood.
Notice that Israel insists on PEACE before a non-proliferation agreement is reached.
Remember that Israel is part of the ENP.
The ENP agreement is a COVENANT OF PEACE.
Notice upcoming meeting in Brussels next Monday.