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Israel
The legal basis for EU trade relations with Israel is the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in June 2000. The aim of this agreement is to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation between the EU and Israel.
Trade picture
- Israel is an important trading partner for the EU in the Mediterranean area, and the EU is the first trading partner for Israel with total trade amounting to approximately €30 billion in 2014.
- EU exports of goods to Israel are dominated by machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and other semi-manufactures.
- EU imports from Israel are dominated by chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, metals and fuels.
EU-Israel "trade in goods" statistics
| Year | EU imports | EU exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12.5 | 16.9 | 4.4 |
| 2014 | 13.2 | 17.0 | 3.8 |
| 2015 | 13.3 | 19.0 | 5.7 |
EU-Israel "trade in services" statistics
| Year | EU imports | EU exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 |
| 2013 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 0.2 |
| 2014 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 2.1 |
Foreign direct investment
| Year | Inward stocks | Outward stocks | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39.0 | 13.6 | -25.5 |
Date of retrieval: 14/04/2016
EU and Israel
Financial support
- The European Neighbourhood Policy is the framework for financial assistance from the EU to support Israel's economy.
More information about the EU co-operation programmes for Israel 2007 - 2013
Negotiations to open up additional agricultural trade between the EU and Israel were concluded in 2008 and the agreement is in force since January 2010.
Israel in Euromed
Israel is part of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Euromed) that promotes economic integration and democratic reform across 16 neighbours to the EU's south in North Africa and the Middle East. One important part of this work is to achieve mutually satisfactory trading terms for the Euromed region partners.
The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership is an essential component in the pursuit of greater economic integration in the Mediterranean region.
A regional convention on preferential rules of origin for the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean area would lead to a rapid revision of the existing rules of origin, and thus facilitate regional trade and economic integration.
The system – which makes it simpler to import products manufactured in more than one country throughout the Mediterranean basin – will generate new opportunities for economic operators. It is also an important spur for further regional economic integration.
More information on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
Trading with Israel
- Rules and requirements for trading with Israel
- The EU is present on the ground in Israel.
- Trade relations are part of the EU's overall political and economic relations with Israel.
- Israel is a member of the World Trade Organisation.
- Sustainable impact assessment of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EMFTA)