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The EU and the Middle East

The European Union's relations with the Middle East. The European Union is an active player in supporting efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and contributes, also as a member of the so-called Middle East Quartet (US, EU, Russia and UN), to the Middle East Peace process. EU relations with its southern neighbours features a regional dimension, the Union for the Mediterranean. The EU also has a region-to-region relationship with the “Gulf Cooperation Council” (GCC) made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, there are also bilateral EU-relations with Iran, Iraq and Yemen.

EU sends more humanitarian aid to Gaza 07 November 2023, 22:56 CET
The European Union announced it was sending an extra EUR 25 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza Monday, with a quadrupling of EU humanitarian assistance to over EUR 100 million for Gaza this year.

EU leaders call for humanitarian access to Gaza 27 October 2023, 15:37 CET
EU leaders at a summit Thursday reiterated their condemnation of Hamas' brutal terrorist attack and called for "rapid, safe and unhindered" humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need in Gaza.

Jina Mahsa Amini and Iranian protest women win 2023 Sakharov Prize 19 October 2023, 22:22 CET
The European Parliament awarded Thursday the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran.

EU looks into possible disinformation by Meta over Hamas 19 October 2023, 22:06 CET
The EU Commission formally sent Meta a request for information under the Digital Services Act Thursday on measures it has taken to prevent disinformation over Hamas terrorist attacks across Israel.

Israel: EU calls for restraint, will not suspend aid to Palestinians 10 October 2023, 19:47 CET
The European Union condemned all attacks against civilians in Israel and Gaza Tuesday, but called for a continuance of financial aid to the UN Palestinian relief and human development agency.

Iranian judiciary drawn into net of new EU sanctions 20 February 2023, 23:47 CET
The EU Council imposed a new set of sanctions on Iran Monday, including on another 32 individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

EU extends Iran sanctions over human rights 23 January 2023, 23:57 CET
The EU Council decided Monday to add 18 individuals and 19 entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime.

EU imposes new Iran sanctions over protests repression and drones 12 December 2022, 23:44 CET
The European Union imposed new sanctions on Iran Monday highlighting the brutal repression of protests and human rights, as well as the delivery of drones to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

EU imposes further sanctions on Iranian officials over human rights 14 November 2022, 22:13 CET
The European Union imposed sanctions against another 29 Iranian officials Monday in view of their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran.

EU imposes new Iran sanctions over drones in Ukraine 24 October 2022, 23:02 CET
The European Union added three new individuals and one entity Thursday to sanctions against Iran for the use of drones to undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignaty and independence of Ukraine.

EU challenges Egypt import restrictions at WTO 27 January 2022, 18:55 CET
The European Union requested Wednesday dispute settlement consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with Egypt on its 'unfair' compulsory import registration requirements.

EU pledges further EUR 30m to support Lebanon 13 August 2020, 01:00 CET
At Monday's international conference on aid for Lebanon, the EU Commission pledged new funding worth EUR 30m to help address the immediate needs of those affected by the deadly explosion in Beirut.

Products from Israeli settlements must be labelled as such: EU top Court 12 November 2019, 23:43 CET
Foodstuffs originating in Israel's occupied territories must bear the indication of their territory of origin, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday, and be labelled if originating from an Israeli settlement.

EU-Arab League commit to stronger ties 01 March 2019, 00:31 CET
Leaders of the EU and the League of Arab States meeting for the first ever summit between the two regions agreed Tuesday to strengthen cooperation particularly on border control and the fight against irregular migration.

EU provides Iran with EUR 18m development support 23 August 2018, 23:03 CET
The Commission adopted Thursday a first package of EUR 18 million for projects in support of sustainable economic and social development in Iran, including EUR 8m aid to the private sector.

European firms get EU protection from Trump Iran sanctions 07 August 2018, 23:51 CET
As the first batch of re-imposed US sanctions on Iran take effect, the EU's updated 'Blocking Statute' entered into force early on 7 August to mitigate their impact on EU companies doing business in Iran.

EU committed to Jerusalem as shared capital 23 January 2018, 18:34 CET
European foreign ministers reiterated Monday their 'united and clear messages' on the importance of preserving a two-state solution for and the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states.

EU offers Iraq support towards more stable future 09 January 2018, 23:20 CET
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the European Commission proposed Monday a strategy for Iraq to address the challenges the country faces following the territorial defeat of Da'esh.

Mogherini visit boost for EU-Iran cooperation 18 April 2016, 22:27 CET
EU cooperation with Iran was given a boost over the weekend with the visit by EU foreign affairs representative Federica Mogherini to Tehran, where the two sides committed to implementing the action plan agreed in Vienna last year.

EU strengthens R&D ties with Egypt 11 February 2010, 17:06 CET
The European Union will offer EUR 20 million to Egypt to promote research and innovation, Ambassador of the European Delegation in Egypt Marc Franco announced at the first Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Heliopolis, Egypt in late January. The funds will be earmarked for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) programme that was established under the EC-EGYPT bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 2007.

No preferential customs treatment for products from occupied territories: EC Court Opinion 03 November 2009, 13:05 CET
Products originating from the occupied territories are not entitled to preferential customs treatment under the EC-Israel Agreement, according to the Opinion of the European Court's Advocate General.

Weekly Diary

The Week Ahead no. 623
Waste framework directive - microplastic pollution - agriculture situation and Ukraine - Multilateral Investment Court

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