Commission strengthens Israel transport co-operation

Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President with responsibility for Transport, has begun the second day of a two-day visit to Israel.

The trip is focusing on discussions regarding EU-Israel transport co-operation and follows the signature in June of a comprehensive EU–Israel air transport agreement.

Speaking about the visit, Kallas said: “Israel is a key partner for the EU in transport. The aviation agreement that we signed earlier this year is very important for further strengthening the overall economic exchanges, trade and tourism as well as broader political relations between Israel and the EU. I am very pleased that the agreement is already starting to have a positive impact in the market – to the benefit of consumers.”

During his visit, Kallas and Israel’s minister of transport and road safety, Yisrael Katz, will open the first meeting of the EU–Israel Joint Committee set up under the EU–Israel aviation agreement with the aim of ensuring the proper implementation of the agreement. Kallas will discuss closer co-operation between the EU and Israel in the field of aviation including in the areas of aviation safety, security and air traffic management.

The visit will also cover road safety, in particular innovative technology, and Israel will continue to be eligible for Horizon 2020 funding after agreement was recently found with the EU on the conditions.

Later, Kallas will meet Ron Huldai, mayor of Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv participates in the current CIVITAS demonstration project 2MOVE2, together with the Israel Institute of Technology and other European partners. According to the Commission, many of the issues Tel Aviv addresses within CIVITAS  (electromobility, urban logistics, deployment of urban ITS solutions, public transport) are also receiving a lot of attention in the EU.

The Commission will continue to support CIVITAS under Horizon 2020. Over €100 million has been allocated to CIVITAS 2020 between 2014-2015.