on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, concerning the extension of the EU – Israel Action Plan

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.Subject matter of the proposal

This proposal concerns the decision establishing the position to be taken on the European Union's behalf within the EU - Israel Association Council, established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part ("the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement"), with regard to the adoption of a recommendation on the extension of the EU – Israel Action Plan.

2.Context of the proposal

2.1.The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement was signed in Brussels, on 20 November 1995 and entered into force on 1 June 2000. It forms the legal basis for the bilateral relations between the EU and Israel. The Agreement aims at:

–providing an appropriate framework for political dialogue, allowing the development of close political relations between the Parties;

–increasing trade, inter alia, through the expansion of trade in goods and services, the reciprocal liberalisation of the right of establishment, the further progressive liberalisation of public procurement, the free movement of capital and the intensification of cooperation in science and technology to promote the harmonious development of economic relations between the Community and Israel and thus fostering in the EU and in Israel the advance of economic activity, the improvement of living and employment conditions, and increased productivity and financial stability;

–to encourage regional cooperation with a view to the consolidation of peaceful coexistence and economic and political stability;

–to promote cooperation in other areas which are of reciprocal interest.

2.2.The Association Council

The Association Council established by the the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement is composed of members of the Council of the European Union and members of the European Commission, on the one hand, and members of the Government of the State of Israel, on the other. It is scheduled to meet at ministerial level once a year and when circumstances require, at the initiative of its Chairman and in accordance with the conditions laid down in its rules of procedure. The Association Council takes its decisions and recommendations by common agreement of the Parties. During intersession, it may take decisions or recommendations by written procedure if the Parties so agree, according to Article 10 of the Rules of Procedure.

2.3.The envisaged act of the Association Council

The Association Council is to adopt a recommendation concerning the extension of the EU-Israel Action Plan ('the envisaged act'). In accordance with Article 10 of the Rules of Procedures of the Association Council, the recommendation will be adopted by written procedure.

The purpose of the envisaged act is to extend the three year validity of the EU - Israel Action Plan, to ensure the continuation of the cooperation between the two parties.

3.Position to be taken on the Union's behalf

The position to be adopted by the European Union, in the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, on the adoption of a recommendation on the extension of the EU-Israel Action Plan validity for three years is based on the text of the recommendation annexed to this Decision.

Both parties have repeatedly confirmed the richness and vitality of relations between the European Union and Israel and their full commitment to the continued development of the latter in all areas of mutual interest.

The extension of the Action Plan is therefore in the interest of the Parties.