Brussels, May 28 (EFE).- The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, hoped on Wednesday to present “options” to EU foreign ministers at a June 23 meeting on the association agreement between the bloc and Israel.
Following a request by a majority of member states at a foreign ministers’ meeting on May 20, the European Commission (EC) agreed to review Israel’s compliance with its human rights obligations under the association agreement between the country and the European Union (EU).
Kallas described the discussion with the foreign ministers as “intense” and said that the objective was to have the results ready for discussion in June.
She also said that she intended to present options for the member states at that time.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Luxembourg sent a letter to Kallas requesting a review of Article 2 of the agreement with Israel.
For its part, the Netherlands asked the EU foreign policy chief to review the same point of the association agreement concerning compliance with human rights.
They demanded an assessment of the situation concerning international humanitarian law, and for the EC to determine whether Israel complies with Article 2.
If not, the EC was asked to propose appropriate measures in line with Article 79 of the agreement.
According to diplomatic sources, the idea of assessing whether Israel’s actions comply with the agreement is gaining within the Council, with as many as 17 of the 27 member states reportedly endorsing it on May 20.
Following the review, the EC could propose measures such as suspending different parts of the association agreement.
Kallas also said that Israel’s attacks in Gaza were disproportionate and rejected the privatization of humanitarian aid delivery in the enclave. EFE
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