BERLIN - Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vondra said Tuesday that his country intends to use its term as president of the Council of the European Union to improve the organization's relations with Israel.

The six-month term begins on January 1, 2009. Speaking at a conference here Tuesday, Vondra said he intends to organize a business meeting in Prague between Israeli leaders and their EU counterparts. He said that the meeting will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the death of Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal), the rabbinical leader who lived in that city, and who remains associated with the mythical creature he is said to have created, the Golem.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who also attended the conference, reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security. On the issue of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Steinmeier said he hoped progress was being made and that the next administration in the United States will be able to carry on that country's role in the process.

Menawhile, Hamas rebuked the European Union for its decision on Monday to upgrade relations with Israel, calling the move "dangerous" and saying it showed that Europe was "still in the clutches of the U.S."

Representatives of the EU's 27 member states, meeting in Luxembourg, voted unanimously in favor of creating a committee to suggest ways of upgrading relations with Israel. The Israeli delegation to the conference had feared the proposal to upgrade relations might be turned down, in light of European demands that Israel stop settlement construction and advance talks with the Palestinians. Foreign Ministry officials succeeded in convincing European representatives not to link those demands to upgrading relations with Jerusalem. Instead, the EU released a general statement calling on Israel to make progress in its negotiations with the Palestinians.

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki expressed his satisfaction with the failed diplomatic initiative undertaken with Egypt in recent weeks aimed at pressuring the EU to make the cessation of construction in the West Bank Jewish settlements a provision for upgrading relations with Jerusalem. Al-Maliki said it managed to raise awareness of Palestinian concerns among EU members.

The EU ad hoc committee on upgrading relations with Israel will now have a year to prepare suggestions on how to accomplish that goal. The upgrade will cover a number of points, including increased dialogue between the Jerusalem and Brussels. Regular annual meetings will be held between Israeli and EU officials.

In addition, Israeli high-tech firms and airlines will increase cooperation with their EU counterparts, and Israeli academics will be invited to participate in EU programs.

Copyright Ha'aretz News 2008