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Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. (Daniel Bar On / Jini) Last update - 15:33 16/06/2008 EU foreign ministers, due to meet Livni, agree to upgrade Israel ties By News Agencies Tags: Israel, EU, Tzipi Livni  European Union states' foreign ministers, due to meet on Monday with Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni, agreed they were ready to upgrade ties with Israel while urging it to make progress on Middle East peace, officials said. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was to meet with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner, and foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc. Officials said both sides planned an agreement on broadening economic and other relations, but did not elaborate. "The European Union is determined to develop a closer partnership with Israel," EU foreign ministers decided at talks in Luxembourg, according to a text obtained by Reuters. Advertisement The process should take place in a context "which notably includes the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the implementation of the two-state solution," it said. Israel has sought a significant upgrading of relations opposed by Arab states and the Palestinian Authority prinicipally because of Israel's settlement building and the construction of the separation barrier in the West Bank. Diplomats said EU member states were ready to enhance ties with Israel in social policy, give the hi-tech Israeli economy better access to the European market and cooperate more closely on regulatory issues. That is more modest than proposals made last year by Israel which included regular summits of EU and Israeli leaders, and meetings with EU sectoral ministers on top of the current annual session at foreign minister level. "The Israelis, indeed, have a big wish list," Ferrero-Waldner told reporters before meeting with Livni. She said "the EU favored an enhancement of the relations, but ... it is too early to talk." Israel has a seven-year-old "association agreement" with the 27-member bloc setting out a schedule of political meetings, regulating trade ties and areas of cooperation ranging from internal security to education. Related articles: A dubious Israeli spring in Europe Olmert to Abbas: PA bid to curb our Europe ties 'unacceptable' Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe Rabbis launch 'prayer for Europe' in new Brussels shul Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   How Ironic 14:10  |  Shimon Cleopas 16/06/08   2.   The EU back tracking on promise 14:48  |  Ahmed 16/06/08   3.   Rewarding breaches of international law 14:56  |  Charlie 16/06/08   4.   Shimon Cleopatra 15:22  |  ottomatik 16/06/08   5.   Ferrero-Waldner 15:36  |  alois 16/06/08   6.   Only "stick and carot" approach will work....... 15:41  |  Swiss (Dino) 16/06/08   7.   EU to upgrade Israeli ties. 15:55  |  David Nigel Braham 16/06/08   8.   Israel should put conditions on EU to upraged ties with Israel 15:58  |  Vitaly 16/06/08   9.   Ahmed - EU IS UPGRADING THERE RELATIONSHIP. You arabs 16:30  |  we 16/06/08   10.   "...occupied Arab land..." 16:53  |  Yehuda 16/06/08   11.   Haaretz Quote "That is more modest than proposals ... 17:27  |  Joszeph.E 16/06/08   12.   The reality is that the Arab world is more in our interest 17:37  |  Euro 16/06/08   13.   @ we 17:51  |  Charlie 16/06/08   14.   Swiss (Dino) best upbringing 17:57  |  David Israel 16/06/08   15.   Eu and the Hague 18:47  |  Fred 16/06/08   16.   Eu and The Hauge 18:50  |  fred 16/06/08   17.   Better Options 18:59  |  Alex 16/06/08   18.   Eu are always stupids, or affraid... 19:27  |  JP 16/06/08   19.   NO SUPRISE IF MILITANTS ATTACK EUROPE 22:52  |  JACKAL 16/06/08   20.   So Jackal, you have no spine to affirm your principles? 23:25  |  Genuine Tosefta 16/06/08   21.   # 14 David Israel 00:48  |  Swiss (Dino) 17/06/08   22.   # 8 vitaly 00:53  |  Axel 17/06/08

Read & React Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant Gaza Fulbright students exit visas Responses: 157 Akiva Eldar: Our fixation on Iran leads world to see Israel as the cause of tension Responses: 147 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon Responses: 88 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing for return of troops Responses: 77 Battle of the attitude: Israeli girls vs. American Jews Responses: 78 Rosner's Domain Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran New Guests: What young Jewish American want World: U.S policy "will change for the better" (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? More Headlines 21:10 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets hit Ashkelon 01:09 UN special envoy criticizes Israel for talks with Syria 23:59 Heftziba CEO Yona, who left hundreds homeless, gets 7 years in jail under plea deal 21:13 Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks 22:59 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns the spotlight on Palestinians 23:42 Bush, Musharraf, Ahmadinejad top least-trusted leaders list 22:57 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams 15:39 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing 00:37 Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power 21:21 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges 21:26 Nazi sheltered by Austria as too ill for trial, seen enjoying Euro 2008 21:42 Haredis won't protest Jerusalem Gay Pride parade to minimize its publicity 17:47 Hamas: Gaza truce deal with Israel is in sight 15:45 Germany mulls probe of Jewish group overseeing Holocaust restitution Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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