The Netherlands intends to revise the trade section of the Association Agreement with Israel within the framework of the European Union, but admits that it does not have the necessary support within the EU, according to Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen.
"Parliament instructed me to request an assessment of Article 2 of the agreement. I will do it. Parliament has also instructed me to talk to colleagues and see when we can get a majority to revise the agreement.
It is my problem and I will work on it," he said before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. According to Berendsen, the Dutch government also intends to discuss with its EU partners concerns about Israel's actions and possible ways to increase pressure on the Jewish state.
The minister emphasized that the proposal does not aim to immediately cancel the trade section of the agreement, but to seek support within the EU. He noted that in the absence of a majority, putting the issue to a vote will only emphasize the existing differences within the EU and will not increase the pressure on Israel.
