Today, the European Union’s 27 foreign ministers held an informal meeting in Copenhagen. This morning, before the meeting, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Denmark intends to use its EU Presidency to gather support for suspending the association trade agreement with Israel. In comments to Danish Radio news, she said:
“The Israeli government is not living up to its responsibilities. And unfortunately, we must conclude that we see no signs that the Israeli government is ready to change course. The criticism has fallen on deaf ears.
“That is why we must now significantly increase the pressure. And prepare to punish Israel economically. Denmark, with the EU Presidency at the helm, is rallying support for suspending the trade-related part of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel until the Israeli government significantly changes its behavior. This is a serious step to take. But the situation calls for it. We are aware that it may be difficult to secure the necessary support. But that will not deter us from doing what we can.”
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also condemned Israel for causing a humanitarian catastrophe, and called for harsher measures.
However, the main story from the meeting is that there was no agreement on taking such measures. The EU member-states are split on this question, with Spain, Denmark, Holland, and Ireland, among others, calling for harsher measures; and according to DR news, those blocking that include Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Italy. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in an interview with DR said that for historical reasons, Germany would not be the first, but rather the last, to agree.
The only thing the 27 foreign ministers did agree on was to protest the U.S. intention to not grant visas to the Palestinian Authority to attend the UN General Assembly in New York City.
