ISRAEL HAYOM
EU backs down from product-labeling bid
by Shlomo Cesana, News Agencies and Staff
February 14, 2016
The Foreign Ministry reported that relations with the European Union are “close and friendly” again after tensions arose last year over the bloc’s decision to label Israeli exports manufactured beyond the Green Line. Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said the sides had “overcome the crisis” after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini spoke by phone Friday. He said Israel received assurances the move “is not a political step to determine future borders or to boycott Israel.” The conversation between Netanyahu and Mogherini followed a negotiation process on the issue led by Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold. After the agreement was reached, Mogherini invited Netanyahu to Brussels, an offer which he accepted. READ MORE