JERUSALEM (EJP)— European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner has described a programme at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem as “immensely valuable for the future of EU-Israel relations”.

Ferrero-Waldner was addressing an audience at Hebrew University on Tuesday as part of a week-long Middle East tour aimed at meeting with leaders in the region to discuss how to strengthen bilateral relations with the EU, and the growing opportunities available under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

The commissioner began her tour in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Monday where she met Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak,Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit. Following her visit to Jerusalem Ferrero-Waldner is due to travel to the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and then to the Jordanian capital of Amman.

Whilst in Jerusalem she was expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Following the trilateral summit between Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas in the presence of the US Secretary of State Rice, and the meeting of Quartet Principals in Berlin, discussions were expected focus on how to advance the peace process.

Bilateral relations between the EU and Israel in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy were also to be discussed, including the new opportunities under ENP that have recently been proposed by the Commission.

Good collaboration

On Tuesday, Ferrero-Waldner praised the Hebrew University’s Centre for Austrian Studies was established under her tenure as Austrian Foreign Minister “We are proud of the good collaboration between Austrian and Israeli academics and students,” she said.

Describing a positive view of EU-Israel relations, she added: “Relations between us have certainly moved into a warmer era. We may not agree on everything, but there’s definitely a new spirit of collaboration in the air.”

Noting the importance of the ENP, she added: “Israel’s participation in the European Neighbourhood Policy has also helped give new energy and focus to our relations. The European Commission made it a priority to include Israel in the first wave of ENP Action Plans, so it was especially meaningful when Israel became the first partner to agree an Action Plan with us.

“We offered Israel the opportunity to take part in the EU’s internal programmes and agencies, and received an enthusiastic response. We are currently working on opening those programmes, dealing with issues as varied as customs, taxation, culture, youth and film.”

Peace hopes

While Ferrero-Waldner focused on Israel-EU relations, she also pointed out what she saw as the significance of last week’s trilateral meeting between Abbas, Rice and Olmert.

“It is a positive development that PM Olmert and President Abbas have met and agreed to continue contacts bilaterally and facilitated by Secretary of State Rice,” she said. “We hope that a future Palestinian Government, when it is formed will respond to the principles of peace as put forward by President Abbas and called by the Quartet. We will judge this government by its actions.

The commissioner concluded by thanking the university which she said “is making a huge contribution to EU-Israel relations.”

“By hosting events like this, through your scholarship, teaching and collaboration with others, you are pushing the boundaries of debate,” she said.