EU, Israel hold first high-level talks in 10 years

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (right) greets Israel’s Minister of Intelligence Elazar Stern (left) prior to the meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council at the EU Council building in Brussels [Virginia Mayo/AP]

The European Union and Israel have held high-level talks for the first time in 10 years, with the bloc keen to press Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on how to put in place a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Monday’s “Association Council” meeting that he was “encouraged” by recent support for such an outcome from Lapid, who took part in the talks by video conference.