(JNS) The European Union Foreign Affairs Council voted unanimously to resume Association Council meetings with Israel, the last of which was held in 2012.

The ministers “agreed that the Association Council is the highest forum for our bilateral relations,” E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said of the decision made during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday.

“The position of the European Union has not changed with respect to the Middle East peace process,” he added. “We continue with the same council conclusion of 2016 supporting the two-state solution. We know that the situation on the ground in the Palestinian territories is deteriorating, and I think—and the ministers agreed—that this Association Council would be a good occasion to engage with Israel about these issues.”

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid hailed the decision, saying, “the fact that 27 E.U. foreign ministers have voted unanimously in favor of strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Israel is proof of Israel’s diplomatic strength and this government’s ability to create new opportunities with the international community.”