The EU Commission wants to mark its opposition to Israel by freezing parts of the country's participation in the research cooperation Horizon Europe. But not even that is expected to be something the member countries can agree on at today's informal meeting of foreign ministers in Copenhagen.
Tyskland is one of the no-sayers, referring to the fact that they do not understand the connection between the study exchange and the war in Gaza.
–We are not so convinced about this proposal, says Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on his way into the meeting and instead emphasizes that Tyskland has acted against arms exports to Israel.
Frustrated ministers
The fact that no decisions will be made is causing frustration among many other countries. This includes Sverige, which has also backed the demand to freeze the trade part of the EU's association agreement with Israel for the time being.
I am frustrated that the EU is unable to make decisions on these important issues. We are reached every day by terrible images of the suffering in Gaza and it is our duty to act, says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party) in Copenhagen.
–I am frustrated. People are frustrated. We must go from words to action, says her Danish colleague Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
”I am saddened”
The EU's Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas is not happy about the disagreement.
It sends a signal that we are divided. It is definitely very problematic, she regrets on her way into the meeting.
At the same time, the EU Commission is being criticized for not presenting more proposals for action.
The only thing that has been on the table so far is the suspension of parts of this research cooperation, but not even that can we manage to get a qualified majority for, says Maria Malmer Stenergard.
She sees no given ways for Sverige to act on its own.
We have no national sanctions regime and trade policy is also something that is common to the EU. I am also convinced that if it is to have an effect, we must do things together in the EU, but of course I am also saddened that we do not get further and faster, says Malmer Stenergard.
Here are some alternatives that the EU can use to put pressure on Israel:
-
Pause the cooperation agreement – which, however, requires unanimity among all countries.
-
Impose sanctions on more settlers and/or ministers – also requires unanimity.
-
Pause the trade parts of the cooperation agreement (or parts of them) – requires "only" a qualified majority, which, however, can be difficult to achieve if, for example, Tyskland or Italien do not give their support.
-
Pause parts of Israel's participation in the research cooperation Horizon Europe – has been formally proposed and also requires only a qualified majority. Has, however, not yet been put to a formal vote.
