EU, Israel Hold High-Level Talks for First Time in a Decade

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (R.) greets Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern prior to a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and Israel on Monday held high-level talks for the first time in a decade, with the Europeans keen to press Prime Minister Yair Lapid on how to put a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians into place.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell welcomed the recent support from Lapid — who took part in Monday’s talks by videoconference — for an end to the conflict based on an Israeli and Palestinian state living peacefully side by side.

“This is also what we want to push for. We want the resumption of a political process that can lead to a two-state solution and a comprehensive regional peace,” Borrell said. “We have to explore how we can put this into practice.”

“It’s better to sit and discuss frankly, than to avoid any contact. Certainly we disagree. Certainly we express concern, but I think it’s more positive to sit and discuss,” Borrell told reporters in Brussels.

It’s the first time the two sides have held an “Association Council” since July 2012.

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