Israel, E.U. talk improved ties

Israel and the European Union discussed upgrading their relations. The E.U.-Israel Association Council, the ministerial body that monitors E.U.-Israel relations in the framework of the 2000 Association Agreement, held its annual meeting Monday in Brussels. It was attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.Israel expressed an interest in joining European agencies, including Europol, Eurojust and the new European Environmental agency, as well as participating in E.U. cultural programs. The discussions also focused on the European Neighborhood Policy, a framework designed by the European Commission to strengthen political, trade and human rights agreements between the E.U. and nearby countries, including Israel.”We are more than willing to explore all possibilities to tighten our relations with the E.U., and we congratulate the decision to create a common team for that purpose,” Livni said.