The negotiations concluded on 23 January 1975 had their origin in the decision of the EEC to accept Britain, Denmark and Ireland as members. This necessitated amending the existing agreement of 1970 between Israel and the EEC. After lengthy negotiations that started in 1972, the EEC decided to adopt a "common Mediterranean approach." Talks were held between Israel and the EEC in 1973 and 1974. The following communique served to confirm "ad referendum" the conclusion of the lengthy negotiations. The agreement deals with a free trade area for industrial goods, with considerable customs reductions for agricultural products. The agreement also included an article on industrial cooperation. It was envisaged that on 1 July 1977 EEC countries will abolish customs duties on most of Israel's industrial imports - and Israel will, until 1989, gradually abolish customs duties on EEC imports.
A delegation of Israel and a delegation of the Community have exchanged letters on 23 January 1975 by which they determine their agreement ad referendum on the results of the negotiations regarding the conclusion of an agreement between the European Economic Community and Israel in the framework of the global Mediterranean approach.
The two delegations also exchanged letters confirming their agreement on the parallel negotiations which they conducted with regard to products relevant to the European Community for coal and steel.
These letters were signed, for the delegation of Israel by Ambassador Ben Horin, Chief of the Mission of European Communities, and for the delegation of the Community, by Mr. J. Durieux, Director at the Directorate for Development and Cooperation of the European Communities Commission.
These agreements envision the progressive realization of a free trade between the parties as well as the establishment of an economic cooperation as a complementary factor to commercial exchanges.
The two delegations undertook to transmit to their respective authorities the results of these negotiations as well as the texts of the agreements for approval.
The two delegations stated their gratification at the successful conclusion of the negotiations and expressed their wish that the procedure of formal signature, exchange of instruments of ratifications, and entry into force of the agreement will be completed as soon as possible.