Several countries have urged to pause or cancel the association agreement with Israel, which regulates the EU's economic and political cooperation. The Social Democrats want to freeze the agreement.
If one is keen on putting increased pressure on Israel, one should naturally be present and talk to one's foreign minister colleagues and persuade them to put pressure on Israel, he says.
”Surprising”
Ygeman thinks it is ”surprising” that Malmer Stenergard was not present at the meeting at the same time as one has criticized that the commission has not presented a concrete proposal.
The reason why the commission does not present the proposal is that they perceive that there is no majority among the member states. Then it is required that one works with one's foreign minister colleagues to persuade more countries to support this line – if it even is Sweden's line, it is very unclear, he says to TT.
Ygeman thinks that there are few occasions that are better than the foreign minister meeting to put pressure on Israel.
In a written comment to TT, Malmer Stenergard says that she ”is in principle in daily contact” with the remaining foreign ministers.
”On the agenda for the council meeting, there were no decisions but only discussion. The government regrets this. I have been clear that I think it takes too long and I do not want more discussion”, she says.
”Rules out nothing”
Malmer Stenergard states that ”the government rules out nothing but wants to see concrete proposals”.
A pause in the association agreement requires unanimity within the EU, which currently does not exist.
I do not think it is realistic to believe that there could be unanimity behind such a decision, and I also think it is important to maintain forms for dialogue with Israel, said Malmer Stenergard on the phone to TT on Tuesday.
Of the 27 member states, 13 foreign ministers were present and the rest were represented by substitutes.
