(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
21 October 2002
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met in Luxembourg with the EU
Association Council, and attended a luncheon with Foreign Ministers
of the EU.
In the wake of many preparatory discussions held between Foreign
Minister Peres and his European counterparts, Peres succeeded in
persuading the EU heads at the Association Council to make an
additional effort to resolve the "rules of origin" problem that has
threatened to cause considerable damage to Israel's exports to
Europe. During the meeting, the parties agreed that in the coming
months, intensive discussions will be held at a professional level,
between the customs authorities of Israel and the EU. Minister Peres
stated that although the economic value of the sum under discussion
($7 million) was low, the potential damage to Israel-EU ties would be
considerable.
Foreign Minister Peres urged the EU to sign an agreement, at the
earliest opportunity, that would provide significant tax exemptions
in the agricultural export sector, constituting about 10 percent of
Israeli exports to the EU. Minister Peres also urged the EU heads to
swiftly implement the Sixth Agreement on Research and Development
Cooperation with Israel. In the context of the fifth Research and
Development Program, more than 500 Israeli projects have been
implemented, with a value of over 150 million Euros.
With regard to Iran, Foreign Minister Peres called on the EU leaders
to demand that Iranian authorities immediately remove the hundred or
more Revolutionary Guards from Lebanese soil, and that it put an end
to its assistance to the Hizbullah. The EU heads stated that they
would bring this demand to the attention of the Iranians during their
discussions with Iran on a new trade agreement.
Foreign Minister Peres informed the EU Foreign Ministers that Israel
has accepted all the details of the plan outlined by President Bush,
including the solution of two states for two peoples coexisting in
peace and security, within recognized borders. Mr. Peres also stated
that Israel is working to ease the humanitarian situation in the
territories. He noted that the Israeli government is upholding its
economic commitments and guidelines, on the basis of which there will
be no establishment of new settlements.
Foreign Minister Peres described the violent events of the last few
days, with the evacuation of illegal outposts. Peres added that
Israel had decided, in principle, to release the funds that it had
frozen, on the condition that the funds would not be transferred to
terrorists. He defended the Israel Defense Forces, stating that it
performs very difficult and dangerous work in impossible conditions,
and that its soldiers take considerable personal risks and do their
utmost to prevent civilian casualties.
The Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands,
Luxembourg and Finland attended the meeting, along with the European
Affairs Ministers of Britain, Spain and Greece. EU High
Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana,
and EU Commissioner Chris Patten also attended the meeting.