Officials from member states are free to meet with anyone they deem necessary on a bilateral level, while also delivering the positions of the EU, European Commission spokesperson told the Cyprus News Agency commenting on a recent meeting between Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Cypriot Minister for Justice Anna Koukkides - Prokopiou. 'Member States' officials are free to meet with anyone they deem necessary for bilateral relations and/or cooperation, while, at the same time, delivering the positions of the European Union', Stano said in a written statement to CNA. Ben-Gvir is seen as a controversial personality in Israel, as well as in the EU, due to his extreme statements and behaviours. Last May, the EU's mission to Israel had announced that it was cancelling an event for Europe Day in Tel Aviv, due to the fact that Ben-Gvir had said he would attend and give a speech. In a statement on May 8th, the EU mission to Israel had stated that 'we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views contradict the values the European Union stands for'. Stano had said on May 8th, responding to questions by journalists, that the Commission was 'consulting internally and also with our member states on how to handle the situation', stressing that as the EU 'we don't endorse the political views of M. Ben-Gvir.'
Source: Cyprus News Agency