ALERT: Albares urges the EU to send a “strong signal” to Israel with the suspension of the Association Agreement | International
In a major development, the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Spain, Slovenia and Ireland are promoting this Tuesday, at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, a discussion on the possible suspension of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel, as confirmed by the head of Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, upon his arrival in Luxembourg. Europe, the minister stressed, must send a “strong signal” to Israel, a country that, despite repeated warnings, “has only advanced and widened the spiral of violence and war” in the region. “Spain, together with Slovenia and Ireland, has requested that the suspension of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel be debated on the basis of Article 2”, relating to respect for human rights, Albares explained. The minister added that a total suspension of the agreement would represent a “strong signal” against the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu, although he has specified that other measures could also be considered. Otherwise, he warned, the EU runs the risk of “losing its credibility” if it does not act. “We have to tell Israel clearly that it must change course and that war cannot be the only way to relate to its neighbors in the Middle East,” he insisted. Since last September, a proposal from the European Commission to suspend the commercial part of the agreement has been “on the table,” a decision that would only require a qualified majority. To achieve it, at least 55% of the Member States – 15 of the 27 – would have to vote in favor and these would represent, at least, 65% of the total population of the EU, compared to the unanimity that requires the total suspension of the agreement. So far, not even that minimal support has been achieved. “The question I am going to ask all EU countries is what more has to happen for the Union to react to the way in which Israel conducts its relations with the rest of the Middle East states and to the systematic violations of international law and human rights,” Albares pointed out. In his opinion, what is at stake is the “credibility” of the community bloc. “It is time to send an unequivocal message: we cannot maintain a relationship like the current one through an Association Council if Israel maintains its policy,” he concluded. Albares indicated that the European Union has to be able “to speak with the same force, for the same principles, seeking the same objectives,” when talking about Ukraine, Sudan and Israel. [Noticia de última hora. Habrá actualización en breve]
Analysis and Perspective:
Understanding these events is crucial for anyone following international affairs closely.
World leaders are expected to respond to these developments in the coming days.
Follow our coverage for real-time updates on this and other major global stories.
Source: This article was originally published in another language by Internacional en EL PAÍS and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.