MEPs have rubber-stamped a trade deal with Israel despite a warning
by their own legal services that it might clash with EU law.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday (23 October) passed the so-called Acaa (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products) pact by 379 votes against 230 with 40 abstentions.
Under the deal, most drugs certified by EU or Israeli authorities can be sold in both territories without getting new permission from the other side.
Israel is a big exporter of medicines, such as Copaxone, a multiple sclerosis drug, and Lipitor, a blood pressure pill.
The fact some of them are produced on occupied Palestinian land is not a problem for Acaa.
Whether the drug is made in Israel, China or the US, Israeli officials can go and inspect the producer and approve the drug without implying any extension of Israeli sovereignty.
The legal description of the Israeli body which certifies drugs for Acaa purposes could be a stumbling block, however.
EU parliament lawyers spelled out their views in a 10-page analysis dated 16 March this year.
Read more: http://euobserver.com/foreign/117982
The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday (23 October) passed the so-called Acaa (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products) pact by 379 votes against 230 with 40 abstentions.
Under the deal, most drugs certified by EU or Israeli authorities can be sold in both territories without getting new permission from the other side.
Israel is a big exporter of medicines, such as Copaxone, a multiple sclerosis drug, and Lipitor, a blood pressure pill.
The fact some of them are produced on occupied Palestinian land is not a problem for Acaa.
Whether the drug is made in Israel, China or the US, Israeli officials can go and inspect the producer and approve the drug without implying any extension of Israeli sovereignty.
The legal description of the Israeli body which certifies drugs for Acaa purposes could be a stumbling block, however.
EU parliament lawyers spelled out their views in a 10-page analysis dated 16 March this year.
Read more: http://euobserver.com/foreign/117982
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