– The situation in the Gaza Strip is worthy of the highest regret, and Israel does not fulfill its most basic duties and agreed obligations regarding humanitarian aid – said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
“Therefore, Sweden demands that the EU freeze part of the association agreement as soon as possible,” Kristersson added. – Economic pressure should be increased to Israel. The Israeli government must allow unlimited humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip – he emphasized.
The call of Sweden is another manifestation The growing pressure in the EU to Israel in connection with the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, where as a result of retaliation against Hamas fighters for the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, tens of thousands of people were killed.
On Monday, the European Commission proposed suspension of a part of the association agreement between the EU and Israel regarding the flagship research project, citing the “humanitarian disaster”, which in her opinion threatens “virtually the entire population of the Gaza Zone”. The initiative was finally blocked at a meeting of envoys on Tuesday by Germany and three other Member States.
Netherlands on Wednesday She also announced that she was in favor of suspension of the chapter of the trade agreement.
Commenting on Sweden's statement, a spokesman for the Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said: – The minister is satisfied with the fact that Sweden joined the Netherlands in our appeal.
– We must increase the pressure on the Israeli government, because it must make more to facilitate humanitarian aid. The agreement between the EU and Israel regarding humanitarian aid and access to it must be fully observed – added the spokesman.
The EU-Israel association agreement, in force since 2000, is the legal basis for relations between the EU and Israel, including preferential trade. Trade funds can be modified by a qualified majority of votes of all 27 EU Member States.
