Italy has said ties between Israel and the EU must be strengthened if the EU wants to play a "major role" in the Middle East peace process. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini was speaking after talks in Rome with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman
During his European tour, Mr Lieberman is also scheduled to visit France, Germany and the Czech Republic, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. 'Concrete results' "What they call the upgrading between Europe and Israel must not stop because that way Europe can play a major role [in the Middle East peace process]," Mr Frattini said at a joint news conference with Mr Lieberman.
The Israeli minister also backed the call for better relations between his country and the 27-member strong bloc. But Mr Lieberman said a rapprochement "should not be tied to other issues".
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