FM Cohen to meet top EU officials in Brussels; Iran, funding to Palestinians on agenda

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen will head to Brussels on Tuesday to meet EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and other top EU officials, the Foreign Ministry announces.

According to Cohen’s office, the visit will focus on enlisting European support for stopping Iran’s nuclear program, as have his recent Europe trips.

In a statement, Cohen says that the EU and Israel “have many shared interests in the Middle East, especially stopping the Iranian nuclear program and the Iranian terror threat.”

Cohen also emphasizes that Israel has no issue with the EU sending humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Authority, but that Israel will not sit by as funds reach terror organizations or are used for incitement against the Jewish state.

The relationship between Cohen and Borrell has been tense. In March, Cohen blasted the European Union foreign policy chief for allegedly drawing a comparison between Palestinian terror attacks and IDF operations. Cohen also made it clear to Borrell that Israel would not welcome him on an official visit under the current government.

Cohen is also slated to meet with Oliver Varhelyi, commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement; EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola; and European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas.