On the occasion of the second meeting of the „Adenauer Young Foreign Policy Network“ KAS Israel was honored to welcome the EU-Ambassador to Israel, Emanuele Giaufret, and former Israeli Ambassador to the European Union and NATO, Oded Eran. The participants included representatives from different European embassies, NGOs, think tanks, the Knesset as well as journalists and scientists. The young professionals in the field of foreign policy had the opportunity to discuss the EU contribution to the regional security and stability with the diplomats.

The EU contribution to the region’s stability – achievements, failed opportunities and new challenges

After a short welcoming speech by Dr. Alexander Brakel, Head of the KAS Office in Israel, Oded Eran presented the Israeli perspective on regional security issues and introduced new action guidelines for their stabilization. First, Eran characterized the EU-Israel relations as a love-hate-relationship, which has grown historically and still persists today. He pointed out that Europe could play a key role in promoting the Two-State-Solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, according to the former Israeli Ambassador to the EU and NATO, Israel will always rely on itself regarding security issues and never count on external parties such as the EU, especially because the EU’s investment in this area is relatively new.Hereupon, Emanuele Giaufret shed light on the regional security question from an European point of view, while stressing the close bond between the European Union and Israel and citing important cooperation fields such as the Open-Skies-Agreement or Israel’s participation in the

ErasmusPlus-Program. According to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), it should always be of concern to the EU to stay involved in the region. Giaufret specifically highlighted the convening power of the European Community, which is connected to a certain guarantee of trust in protecting and observing agreements and missions, such as the EUBAM Rafah (2007). Regarding the current regional security issues and policies, new influence strategies could be exerted by the EU in the area of energy, transport and water supply.

In the ensuing debate, the participants had a direct exchange with the diplomats, while discussing successful EU security projects, for instance the EUPOL COPPS-Project, the regional impact of the EU support for the Iran Deal as well as the Israeli image improvement among European countries.

Group Work

After a short break, the participants continued working on the production of a video brief project focusing on the enhancement of mutual public perception and the complexity of EU-Israel relations.