EFI Policy Conference that took place in Paris on the 6th and the 7th of November was a great opportunity not only to conclude Israel’s 60^th Anniversary celebrations but also to promote a better understanding between Europe and Israel and call for an upgrade in relations.   

The Policy Conference gathered together hundreds of Parliamentarians from 42 different European countries, including Members of the European Parliament, Members of the Council of Europe as well as Members of the Knesset led by Mrs. Dalia Itzik, the Speaker of the Knesset, and several European Ministers, including the Czech Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs, Mr. Alexandr Vondra and Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, the Czech Foreign Affairs Minister. Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, the President of the European Parliament and Mr. Luis Maria de Puig, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe participated in the conference. This impressive gathering made it the first-of-its kind event in Europe since the establishment of the State of Israel! 

Mr Alexander Vondra, Mr. Gunnar Hökmark and Mr. Schwarzenberg holding together the Paris Declaration.

Mr. Gunnar Hökmark, Chairman of EFI and Vice-President of the EPP-ED at the European Parliament stressed that "EFI was only launched two years ago; and that so many distinguished European and national political leaders and parliamentarians have been able to join us here in Paris is a tremendous demonstration of support for our young organisation. My appreciations too is extended to our Israeli parliamentary friends who have travelled to join us just as their general election has been called".  

Mr. Hans-Gert  Pöttering , President of the European Parliament began his speech: “I would first like to welcome the EFI’s initiative of organizing, under the effective leadership of its Chairman, my friend Gunnar Hökmark, and with the enthusiastic support of my fellow Members of the European Parliament who are here today, these parliamentary meetings between Israel and the European Union, including both the European Parliament and the national parliaments of the 27 Member States”.

The President of the European Parliament also stated that: “such initiatives help to strengthen the dialogue which is more than ever necessary in order to clear up harmful misunderstandings (…)". He then mentioned the Paris Declaration: “which will formally close your proceedings and whose ambitions character I commend, rightly places the strengthening of our bilateral relations in the context of our common efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East, initiate a process or reconciliation between the Israeli and Arab peoples and promote democracy in the region. Dear fellow parliamentarians, on all these points you are right!”

During the Gala diner Mr. Noam Shalit, the father of Gilad Shalit, addressed the participants and called upon them to do their utmost for the release of his son. A  proposal to launch a joint campaign to pressure the International Red Cross to do more on behalf of the captive Gilad Shalit was put forward at the end of the EFI Policy Conference and should be followed by concrete actions.

to read more: Press review of the EFI POLICY CONFERENCE

to read more: THE PARIS DECLARATION