The association agreement grants Israel significant trade benefits with the EU, its largest trading partner.
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Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) Image: Rikhard Husu / Yle
Finland is open to suspending Israel’s association agreement with the EU, or at least its trade-related section, according to Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP).
Speaking as she arrived at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen, Valtonen confirmed Helsinki’s position had shifted since July, when her political state secretary Pasi Rajala told Yle that Finland did not support a freeze.
According to Finnish News Agency STT, the change reflects that Finland is by default bound by international treaties unless a specific decision is taken.
While no decision has been made on the association agreement, Finland is ready to discuss “all possible means” of pressuring Israel to change what officials described as its increasingly harsh conduct.
Valtonen stressed that Finland’s final stance would be decided later if the matter advanced at the EU level.
Denmark, which holds the rotating EU presidency, is lobbying for a freeze on the agreement’s trade provisions.
“We must now increase the pressure significantly. And be prepared to punish Israel economically,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish media.
Sweden and the Netherlands have also called for a freeze in a joint letter to the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas this week.
“Our position is that we are open to it as well. No decisions will be made here today. But we are able to gauge where the member states stand, and then when it is time for decisions, they will be made,” Valtonen told STT.
The association agreement grants Israel significant trade benefits with the EU, its largest trading partner.
Within Finland, the debate has exposed divisions inside the governing coalition. The Finns Party and Christian Democrats have opposed Finnish recognition of Palestine, with Development Minister Ville Tavio (Finns) expressing his opposition to medical care provided to Palestinian children earlier this week. Valtonen’s National Coalition Party has voiced support for recognition, but resistance from coalition partners has left the issue in political limbo.