President Peres with Jose Manuel Barroso
President Peres with Jose Manuel BarrosoFlash 90

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso is to formally sign a controversial EU-Israel research program with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during a visit starting Sunday.

The outgoing head of the European Union executive will hold talks with Netanyahu on Sunday before taking part in a signing ceremony the next day allowing Israel to become the only non-European country to benefit from the EU's Horizon 2020 scientific research program.

After months of dispute, the two sides finally agreed a compromise in November enabling hi-tech companies and research institutes in the Jewish state to join the 77-billion-euro program.

Israel had objected to EU guidelines published in July banning funding and financial dealings with Jewish businesses and communities in Judea, Samaria and parts of Jerusalem from January this year. The EU was accused of hypocrisy over the guidelines, with some Israeli officials and commentators pointing out that no such guidelines exist in relation to other disputed regions such as Turkish-occupied Cyprus and Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.

The guidelines would have forced Israel to recognize in writing that those communities are not part of the Jewish state in any future EU agreements.

But after sticky negotiations, it was agreed the EU would appendix an agreement to stop research funds serving institutions in Judea and Samaria, while Israel would add its own appendix stating non-recognition of the new guidelines.

EU-Israel relations have long been difficult, notably over the question of the existence of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Brussels on Thursday said it was "deeply disappointed" after Israel unveiled plans to build another 3,200 homes for local Jews, and called for the decision to be reversed.

"This move is unhelpful to peace efforts," the EU said in a statement.