More talks expected on Settlement Guidelines

Talks will continue between Israeli and EU officials following a second meeting on the Union’s Settlement Guidelines held in Brussels last week. Diplomats had previously met in Jerusalem.

Israel is seeking further clarification on the new EU guidelines, which are set to take effect from 1 January 2014. The rules will govern the handling of EU funds in the Middle Eastern country and will prevent any organisation operating in the West Bank, Gaza Strip or Golan Heights from receiving money from Brussels. The country has said it cannot accept the new guidelines in their current form.

Following the second meeting, the European Commission said: “Each side will go back to consult and check the various options discussed.” The Commission added that further talks would be held “as soon as possible.”

The rules will have a significant impact on Israel’s participation in Horizon 2020. According to an EU source, talks will continue between the Union and Israel on the implementation of the Settlement Guidelines as part of negotiations on the country’s participation in Horizon 2020. An agreement will need to be signed by the middle of November if Israel is to participate in the next framework programme from its start in 2014.

The EU delegation was led by Pierre Vimont, secretary-general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Christian Berger, EEAS director for North Africa and the Middle East. The Israeli team was led by Rafi Barak, director-general of the Foreign Ministry, and a former Israeli ambassador to the EU, the deputy director-general, Ran Curiel.

You can read the guidelines in full here.