Seanad debates
Thursday, 27 November 2003
Address by President of the European Parliament.
Senator Minihan asked about the Middle East and Senator Norris also touched on this. There was a recent Association Council meeting between EU Foreign Ministers and Israel. Taking place behind closed doors, it was the toughest session there has been in a generation. We insisted that the customs benefits for goods, which started in the Palestinian territories but were exported through Israel must go back to the Palestinians. Regrettably, the total amount involved is only about €10 million, but the principle is an important one and it is the first time we have insisted on this. Who started the debate in European terms? It was the European Parliament.
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