Capitals set to clash on settlement trade: EU Foreign Ministers are in town today with a range of issues, from Ukraine to the Middle East, on their agenda. They will also discuss the Commission’s proposal – scooped by Euronews last week – to further restrict or fully ban EU trade with Israeli settlements, which the bloc deems illegal.
But here’s the catch: the Commission has suggested any measures should be treated as a foreign policy tool and therefore require the unanimous blessing of all EU member states — a threshold unlikely to be reached.
It’s feeding the narrative that the executive led by Ursula von der Leyen is using “delay tactics” to hold up the measures, with one diplomat speaking of “deceptive” tactics to hold up any decision.
“Some might try to muddy the waters, but what we’re talking about here is protecting the integrity of EU policy,” another senior diplomat said, lamenting the Commission’s preference for unanimity.
“Even if it’s just two euros, it’s important that our trade policy is aligned with international law.”
