The EU and the Middle East

The European Union's relations with the Middle East. The European Union is an active player in supporting efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and contributes, also as a member of the so-called Middle East Quartet (US, EU, Russia and UN), to the Middle East Peace process. EU relations with its southern neighbours features a regional dimension, the Union for the Mediterranean. The EU also has a region-to-region relationship with the “Gulf Cooperation Council” (GCC) made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, there are also bilateral EU-relations with Iran, Iraq and Yemen.

EU pledges further EUR 30m to support Lebanon

At Monday's international conference on aid for Lebanon, the EU Commission pledged new funding worth EUR 30m to help address the immediate needs of those affected by the deadly explosion in Beirut.

Products from Israeli settlements must be labelled as such: EU top Court

Foodstuffs originating in Israel's occupied territories must bear the indication of their territory of origin, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday, and be labelled if originating from an Israeli settlement.

EU-Arab League commit to stronger ties

Leaders of the EU and the League of Arab States meeting for the first ever summit between the two regions agreed Tuesday to strengthen cooperation particularly on border control and the fight against irregular migration.

EU provides Iran with EUR 18m development support

The Commission adopted Thursday a first package of EUR 18 million for projects in support of sustainable economic and social development in Iran, including EUR 8m aid to the private sector.

European firms get EU protection from Trump Iran sanctions

As the first batch of re-imposed US sanctions on Iran take effect, the EU's updated 'Blocking Statute' entered into force early on 7 August to mitigate their impact on EU companies doing business in Iran.

EU committed to Jerusalem as shared capital

European foreign ministers reiterated Monday their 'united and clear messages' on the importance of preserving a two-state solution for and the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states.

EU offers Iraq support towards more stable future

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the European Commission proposed Monday a strategy for Iraq to address the challenges the country faces following the territorial defeat of Da'esh.

Mogherini visit boost for EU-Iran cooperation

EU cooperation with Iran was given a boost over the weekend with the visit by EU foreign affairs representative Federica Mogherini to Tehran, where the two sides committed to implementing the action plan agreed in Vienna last year.

EU strengthens R&D ties with Egypt

The European Union will offer EUR 20 million to Egypt to promote research and innovation, Ambassador of the European Delegation in Egypt Marc Franco announced at the first Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Heliopolis, Egypt in late January. The funds will be earmarked for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) programme that was established under the EC-EGYPT bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 2007.

No preferential customs treatment for products from occupied territories: EC Court Opinion

Products originating from the occupied territories are not entitled to preferential customs treatment under the EC-Israel Agreement, according to the Opinion of the European Court's Advocate General.