Region | Palestinian Territories
European Union has economic leverage
The European Union could use closer trade ties as leverage to urge Israel to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, the EU's top diplomat said
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 March 14, 2010
Saariselka: The European Union could use closer trade ties as leverage to urge Israel to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, the EU's top diplomat said ahead of a trip to the region.
EU high representative for foreign affairs Catherine Ashton, who begins her first visit to the Middle East today, said the European Union would be active in getting peace talks to resume and had influence in the issue.
"We're a huge supplier of aid and development in that region. We are strong with Israel in terms of trade and Israel wants to enhance its relationship with us, it wants to upgrade relations," she said when asked what leverage the EU could have in talks given that the United States has struggled to be heard.
Solution clear
"Our ambition is that they know — because they do — that the solution lies in a negotiated settlement. Our view is that it needs to happen quickly and now, with the opportunity that that affords Israel ... to be able to enhance the relationships it wants with us in any event for the future."
Ashton, who flies to Egypt today and is due in Israel on Wednesday, said it was not about withholding Israel's access to EU markets, but about showing what more could be granted if progress was made.
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