Top Stories
European commissioner highlights ‘new regional language’ since the Abraham Accords
September 26, 2022
In his address to the European Parliament, European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi ) highlighted the EU's special relationship with Israel in the context of the energy crises and the groundbreaking developments with regard to the Abraham Accords. Oliver Varhelyi gave during a debate in the EU Parliament on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighborhood a few examples of projects that are starting to be delivered, including the recent signing of a landmark trilateral energy agreement with Egypt and Israel who become long-term and reliable partners to ensure energy security and diversification of supply to Europe, writes Yossi Lempkowicz.
"Europe should not only start understanding the new regional language since the Abraham Accords, but it should also learn to speak this language, and seize the new opportunities for business, people, trade and travel," said European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi on Neighbourhood and Enlargment during a debate held in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 'Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood – a new agenda for the Mediterranean'.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic and now the war in Ukraine "have clearly demonstrated that the prosperity and stability of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East region is closely interlinked".
"In these turbulent times, it is also of paramount importance to have reliable and predictable partners in our immediate neighbourhood. Partners with whom together we can seize the emerging new opportunities and unleash the region’s untapped potential. Partners whom we can trust to be credible in fighting anti-Semitism, incitement to hatred, violence, or terror. Partners who are taking bold and decisive steps to address the foundations for peace, tolerance, co-existence and non-violence," he added. Varhelyi stressed that its is "undoubtedly a beginning of a new chapter in the EU’s relationship".
"Overall, we are on good track to build a positive agenda and deliver this New Agenda for the Mediterranean and its Economic and Investment Plan. We need to keep investing in the real economy, creating growth and new jobs, and a perspective for the youth to stay. As you know, our Economic and Investment Plan could mobilize up to € 7 billion and trigger investments up to €30bn," he said. The commissioner gave a few examples of projects that are starting to be delivered, including the recent signing of a landmark trilateral energy agreement with Egypt and Israel who become long-term and reliable partners to ensure energy security and diversification of supply to Europe.
He added : "We have started to look actively into supporting the normalisation process between Israel and some Arab neighbours in sectors where opportunities for new partnerships exist or will arise. For instance, we are advancing well to cooperate with Israel and Morocco in the field of water management."