I am pleased to report that today, at the INTA committee in the European Parliament, Israel and the European Union drew closer towards a confirmation of the AACA agreement.

During today's debate, members of INTA had passed the initiative to Commissioner Karel De Gucht (DG Trade) for his comments and response on the European Parliament's proposal for guaranties and advancements. As chairman of the European Friends of Israel, it is important to witness the democratic process moving forward at a satisfactory rate, towards this increasing rapprochement between the EU and the state of Israel. We, at EFI, hope that the process will be soon brought in front of the European Parliament's plenary in order to be finally confirmed. These days of dire economy both the European Union and Israel should see in one another a serious and truthful partner in the way out of this stormy financial crisis.

Past statements and declarations made by the European Commission and the European Council reassure this important working assumption, and bring to the notion of policymakers in Brussels and across Europe the pivotal added value that Israel can bring to Europe, and vice versa.