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 Kingdom of Belgium,
The Kingdom of Denmark,
The Federal Republic of Germany,
The Hellenic Republic,
The Kingdom of Spain,
The French Republic,
Ireland,
The Italian Republic,
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
The Kingdom of the Netherlands,
The Republic of Austria,
The Portuguese Republic,
The Republic of Finland,
The Kingdom of Sweden,
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
Contracting Parties to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States", and
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY, hereinafter referred to as "the Community", of the one part, and
THE STATE OF ISRAEL, hereinafter referred to as "Israel", of the other part,
CONSIDERING the importance of the existing traditional links between the Community, its Member States and Israel, and the common values that they share;
CONSIDERING that the Community, its Member States and Israel wish to strengthen those links and to establish lasting relations, based on reciprocity and partnership, and promote a further integration of Israel's economy into the European economy;
CONSIDERING the importance which the Parties attach to the principle of economic freedom and to the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly the observance of human rights and democracy, which form the very basis of the Association;
CONSCIOUS of the need to associate their efforts to strengthen political stability and economic development through the encouragement of regional cooperation;
DESIROUS of establishing and developing regular political dialogue on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest;
DESIROUS of maintaining and intensifying a dialogue on economic, scientific, technological, cultural, audiovisual and social matters to the benefit of the Parties;
CONSIDERING the respective commitments of the Community and Israel to free trade, and in particular to compliance with the rights and obligations arising out of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) as it results from the negotiations of the Uruguay round;
CONVINCED that the Association Agreement will create a new climate for their economic relations and in particular for the development of trade, investment and economic and technological cooperation,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1
1. An Association is hereby established between the Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part.
2. The aim of this Agreement is:
- to provide an appropriate framework of the political dialogue, allowing the development of close political relations between the Parties;
- through the expansion, inter alia, of trade in goods and services, the reciprocal liberalization of the right of establishment, the further progressive liberalization 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 to foster in the Community 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.
ARTICLE 2
Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.
TITLE 1
POLITICAL DIALOGUE
ARTICLE 3
1. A regular political dialogue shall be established between the Parties. It shall strengthen their relations, contribute to the development of a lasting partnership and increase mutual understanding and solidarity.
2. The political dialogue and co-operation will in particular:
- develop better mutual understanding and an increasing convergence of positions on international issues, and in particular on those issues likely to have substantial effects on one or the other Party;
- enable each Party to consider the position and interests of the other;
- enhance regional security and stability.
ARTICLE 4
The political dialogue shall cover all subjects of common interest, and shall aim to open the way to new forms of co-operation with a view to common goals, in particular peace, security and democracy.
ARTICLE 5
1. The political dialogue shall facilitate the pursuit of joint initiatives and shall take place in particular:
(a) at Ministerial level;
(b) at senior official level (political directors) between representatives of Israel of the one part, and of the Presidency of the Council and of the Commission of the other;
(c) by taking full advantage of all diplomatic channels including regular briefings by officials, consultations on the occasion of international meetings and contacts between diplomatic representatives in third countries;
(d) by providing regular information to Israel on issues relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy, which shall be reciprocated;
(e) by any other means which would make a useful contribution to consolidating, developing and stepping up this dialogue.
2. There shall be a political dialogue between the European Parliament and the Israeli Knesset.
- Full text of agreement (pdf)