§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the(a) costs and (b) benefits to Israel of acceding to its agreement with the European Communities, 2000/384/EC 188W (L147, volume 43, 21.6.2000); what benefits are denied to accedants of such an agreement which are granted to EU member states; and if he will make a statement. [130782]
§ Mr. VazIt is primarily for Israel or any other third country to estimate the costs and benefits to their country of entering into agreements with the EU. The EU-Israel Association Agreement is a reciprocal agreement which confers specific benefits on both parties. It is in no way comparable to EU membership.