Lecture in Interdisciplinary Center, Herzlia December 2003
Israel and the New Europe:
Options and Opportunities
Chair: Ambassador Yoav Biran, Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Political leadership has undergone through a long learning process. Today we recognize the importance of our political decisions abroad. We also recognize that a military action may not bring about expected international reactions. This long process has yet to conclude, there is more attention being paid to international sentiments and yet these decisions are still in the hands of military and security leaders. I'm surprised to read in the press about discussions in which IDF Officers gave their assessments and government officials did not because they weren't in attendance. Our attitude towards the EU demands a new and rational outlook. We can, and should, differ with Europe but we must also broadcast a sense of true willingness to cooperate in regional affairs, if Europe undertakes a responsible, coherent approach towards Israel. I say to the Europeans that while they are fragmented in their international opinions and I am aware of Europe's criticism towards us, I would suggest that we ignore them. I believe that we can point out successes in cooperation among them a research and development agreement and in the international arena: an improved awareness by Europe against the potential dangers from Iran.
Ambassador Dr. Oded Eran, Ambassador of Israel to the European Union
The Compatible Incompatibility
Israel faces many upcoming challenges, among them: The question of religion and state, the economic and security situations as well as other questions: foreign workers and their rights in society. There are questions regarding the relationship between the economy and security etc. Europe and Israel in this sense are twins; they face the same challenges. Even in economic and commercial parameters they are very similar. Israel could have been integrated into the EU and its contributions would be unique. In the field of research and developments for example Israel is unique. The acceptance of Cyprus and the future acceptance of Turkey (to the EU) beckons the question of Israel's status with the EU in the future and which option is most appropriate for Israel.
The first option is full-fledged membership. There are clear advantages to this, such as acceptability to a powerful economic body. Full membership would require of Israel fiscal precision that doesn't exist in Israel today. On the other hand full membership would limit Israel as it does Turkey with regards to Israel's ability to maneuver independently in its foreign affairs. Also full membership does not necessarily translate into mutual security because the EU charter contains a clause of mutual security, which at least four countries refuse to accept. Israel would therefore also lose freedom with regards to its security policies and this to me is a high price to pay. There is also the question of Israel's Jewish identity. Israel was invited by Kohl ten years ago and by Berlusconi today to join the EU but Israel has yet to act because Israeli leaders have hesitated to lose the Jewish character of the state.
The second option is inertial. This comfortable option would enable Israel to ignore dilemmas with regards to the Islamic demographic nature of Europe, would give the US an advantage, and would also allow Israel to bypass the question of which Europe to join. The disadvantage of this option is the undermining of Israel's ability to take part in wider issues such as the peace process.
The third option is one of a leap. The associative agreement has yet to conclude but along with this agreement is doesn't permit a greater cooperation between the two entities. Israel was abandoned by France in 1967 and England in 1973 and it isn't rushing to renew these contacts. However there have been two good starting points the Iranian threat and Javier Solana's offer for increased cooperation. There are a number of trans-border issues that Israel would want to partake in such as the environmental and space issues.
Personally I prefer the third option. On the other hand any option requires trust and a dialogue that isn't present today. I'm not sure what comes before what, trust or a framework or vice versa. Unlike other relationships the relationship between Europe and Israel is unique and this uniqueness can come to the forefront if Europe looks upon Israel as a partner rather than as a potential partner. It is Europe that must undertake trust building measures towards Israel and not the other way around.
Mark Otte, European Union Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process
Toward a Strategic Partnership
I'm happy to discuss the strategic partnership between Israel and the EU. Israel and the EU have many long-term interests in human rights and the economies of the EU and Israel have similar issues. Israel and the EU should be in the same camp. What happens in the EU economically can affect Israel, and vice versa. I hear echoes on the Lisbon agenda, from the Israeli Prime Minister. The EU adds a demographic issue with Cyprus becoming a member and Israel would be just a few kilometers away. The EU still needs, just like Israel, to define its borders. What are its threats? Weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. We need to prepare to face the threats as well as an agenda for change.
Countering the threats is not enough. The EU experience has shown that you can't impose a regime change; the EU way of regime change is slow, but it works. I can't see a reason why Israel and the EU can't work together. Israel is one of the richest trade partners with the EU and the EU needs to look at Israel's issues in the conflict. A bit more friendship needs to be given by both parties. The EU, in my view, lacks the interest in Israeli society, and it's survival mindset. A closer relationship could benefit firstly in the region. The EU should also help to stop the incitement in Arab society through its influence in the Arab world.
Science and technology should be shared and we should continue to look at joint projects in the world.
Dr. Michael Leigh, Deputy Director General, DG External Relations (RELEX), European Commission
Israel and the EU's New Neighborhood Policy
In Europe we are concerned that there should be no dividing lines inside Europe, but also no new dividing lines between members and non-members in the Mediterranean region.
The commission is coming up with a new neighborhood policy called "Wider Europe", in order to open up opportunities in the union for our non member neighboring states, in return for them maintaining those values inherent in the union.
There are five areas on which these neighboring states need to concentrate in order to join this initiative: the free European market and free movement of finance in the region, "justice in home affairs" (which covers issues of immediate concern to citizens both in Israel and the EU, police organization, the fight against crime and corruption, terrorism and drugs), connecting the "neighborhood" (including in areas of energy, transport, telecommunication, and trans-border issues), "people to people" contacts (education, links between universities, cultural and scientific cooperation), deepening and broadening our political contacts.
There are areas that are high on the agendas both of Israel and the EU the fight against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, etc. This initiative has particular interest to both countries, and both can benefit from it.
The EU's offer to get involved in countries in the Middle East region must be directly related to political reforms to be made in those countries. Between now and spring we in the EU intend to institute such a plan with Israel and submit it to member states for confirmation.
A sincere commitment on both sides is imperative in order to further this initiative. I have understood that there is a clear interest here for this initiative and I will help foster regional cooperation with countries such as Jordan and Egypt. For this to be realized, in parallel there should be progress in the peace process. We hope that this initiative and the peace process will become mutually enforcing.
This will be one of the main priorities for the EU in the years ahead. The commission will propose a new financial instrument to further this initiative, which will show how seriously we regard it. Of all countries concerned, I'm convinced that Israel stands to gain much from it. Our connections in economy, culture and the hi-tech industry have been firmly developed, and we are on our way. Our goal is to make these connections more concrete, and to achieve the confirmation of the member states.
Ambassador Giancarlo Chevallard
I would like to bring a testimony of my time here in the past 3 years and of the Israel EU relationship. The trend is unambiguous the EU Israeli relationship is deepening. I will mention that we are entering a cooperation that was unthinkable years ago. We have just heard about the wider Europe offer and this is the offer for the future. We have also been involved in regional issues here, the quartet and Mitchell plan under the United States.
The civil society is moving increasingly towards Europe, especially in business, education and technology. These developments have to do also with the increased political personality of Europe. The EU has made a mature decision in making Israel a key partner for the EU, being a major democracy and business power.
These developments are contradicted by the way Israelis view us unbalanced and unreliable, as there is a basic mistrust in Israel for Europe. Legitimate criticism in Europe is taken here as anti-Israel or anti-Semitism. I don't deny that in Israel there is a similar problem of perception, especially with concern to the security problem here. We have schizophrenic relations that we have to address. The problem of our perception goes even deeper- it goes back to our heritage which is made up of love and hate, seeing what happened 50 years ago. There should be confidence-building measures taken and we must make certain choices and move forward. Also for us, the EU, we have to respond to the challenge and prove to Israel that we are serious and that we want to further our relationship.
