The EU and the Middle East

The European Union's relations with the Middle East

Iran's Jalili says Istanbul nuclear talks 'long and useful' — 16 May 2013, 13:46 CET

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said on Thursday that nuclear talks with the EU'S foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton were "long and useful" and that both sides have decided to continue the discussions.

Arab tycoons unveil EUR 100 m film partnership — 15 May 2013, 22:24 CET

Egyptian telecoms tycoon Naguib Sawiris and French-Tunisian financier Tarak Ben Ammar unveiled a 100-million euro ($129-million) partnership to produce and distribute films and television programmes in the Arab world and internationally.

EU warns Syria crisis at 'breaking point', boosts aid — 12 May 2013, 23:26 CET

The European Commission announced on Sunday an additional 65 million euros in aid for Syrian refugees and internally displaced, warning the crisis is "already at breaking point".

Ashton edgy on new Israeli settlement moves — 10 May 2013, 21:43 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Friday she is worried about mounting tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank after conflicting messages from Israel on settlement activity.

EU warns of 'spillover' threat in Syria region — 06 May 2013, 13:32 CET

The EU's executive on Monday expressed "great concern" following Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets and warned against an escalation of the conflict.

EU criticies Israel destroying Palestinian structures — 26 April 2013, 21:44 CET

European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed serious concerns on Friday about the demolition this week of 22 structures in eight places across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Israeli airline workers end two-day strike over EU deal — 22 April 2013, 22:27 CET

Israeli airline workers ended a two-day strike on Monday after protesting against the government's approval of a commercial aviation deal with Europe, a trade union said.

Israel airline strike strands travellers for 2nd day — 22 April 2013, 18:48 CET

Israeli airline workers were on strike for a second day on Monday to protest at the government's approval of an Open Skies deal with Europe, leaving frustrated travellers stranded.

Travellers stranded as Israel airline strike goes into day 2 — 22 April 2013, 14:07 CET

Workers of Israeli airlines were on strike for second consecutive day on Monday to protest the approval of an Open Skies deal with the European Union, leaving frustrated travellers stranded in the Jewish state.

Israel ratifies EU Open Skies deal as airlines strike — 21 April 2013, 22:20 CET

The Israeli government approved an Open Skies deal with European carriers on Sunday, as local airline workers went on strike with hundreds burning tyres outside the premier's office in protest against the plan.

EU foreign ministers want West Bank settlement goods labelled — 19 April 2013, 20:57 CET

EU foreign ministers, among them Britain's William Hague and Laurent Fabius of France, have said they will back EU efforts to label products from Israel's settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to a letter obtained by AFP on Friday.

Israeli airlines to strike on Sunday over EU deal — 18 April 2013, 17:30 CET

Israeli airline staff called a strike for Sunday to protest against a government proposal to finalise a deregulation plan with European carriers which they say would result in widespread layoffs.

Israel trying to deport hunger-strike Palestinian — 12 April 2013, 19:29 CET

Israel has told the European Union and UN it can deport a Palestinian prisoner on a life-endangering long-term hunger strike to one of their member states, an Israeli official told AFP on Friday.

Israel: Morocco MPs refused entry as had no visas — 10 April 2013, 10:33 CET

Israel on Wednesday defended a decision to turn away two Moroccan MPs trying to enter the West Bank from Jordan earlier this week saying they did not have entry visas.

Israel accused of 'arrogance' over Morocco MPs — 09 April 2013, 21:32 CET

Morocco's parliament speaker accused Israel on Tuesday of arrogance for having barred two Moroccan MPs in an EU-led parliamentary team from entering the West Bank to meet Palestinian officials.

Still room for nuclear talks with Iran: diplomat — 08 April 2013, 20:25 CET

There is still room for talks with Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme but the run-up to Iranian presidential elections in June complicates the situation, a Western diplomat said Monday.

Moroccan MPs 'barred from entering West Bank' — 08 April 2013, 20:21 CET

Israeli authorities on Monday barred two Moroccan MPs accompanying EU parliamentarians from crossing into the West Bank to meet Palestinian officials, one of the lawmakers said.

World powers, Iran 'far apart' in nuclear talks: Ashton — 06 April 2013, 16:09 CET

The positions of world powers and Iran remain "far apart" in talks seeking to end the standoff over Tehran's nuclear programme, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said after the latest meeting wrapped up in Almaty on Saturday.

Ashton 'cautiously optimistic' on Iran nuclear talks — 03 April 2013, 18:56 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday she was cautiously optimistic over the outcome of talks this week between Iran and world powers on Tehran's nuclear drive.

EU urges political solution in Syria amid fears of spillover — 23 March 2013, 20:38 CET

The European Union insisted Saturday on the need for a hasty political solution to end the carnage in Syria as the collapse of Lebanon's government triggered fresh fears of a regional spillover.

Donors make progress on Palestinian aid — 19 March 2013, 22:56 CET

International donors are making progress toward finding the $1.2 billion needed to help fund the Palestinian Authority this year as it faces up to very difficult economic problems, officials said Tuesday.

EU signs aid deal with Palestinian PM — 19 March 2013, 15:57 CET

The European Union signed an aid deal Tuesday with the Palestinian prime minister to bolster ties and promote economic development against a backdrop of a stalled peace process with Israel.

Experts meet in Istanbul over Iran's nuclear programme — 18 March 2013, 16:12 CET

Iranian and foreign nuclear experts gathered in Istanbul on Monday to discuss Tehran's controversial atomic programme, a European Union spokeswoman said.

EU Parliament urges probe in Palestinian prisoner death — 14 March 2013, 22:00 CET

The European Parliament on Thursday urged Israel to conduct an impartial investigation into the prison death in February of Palestinian militant Arafat Jaradat.

Iran TV officials slam EU over sanctions — 14 March 2013, 15:21 CET

Two senior officials at Iran's Press TV whom the EU has slapped with sanctions have criticised the bloc over the move, in comments published on the English-language channel's website on Thursday.