Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-06-Speech-3-047"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.19991006.2.3-047"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, Members of the European Parliament, I am glad to have the opportunity to speak to you today on the present situation regarding the Middle East peace process, and the role of the European Union in it. It has been gratifying to hear, after a gap of many years, positive news on the progress the peace process is making.
The Syrian track has ever greater opportunities to start negotiations and thereby achieve peace, as both sides want peace. They only feel they should wait for someone else to make the first move. The opportunity must be seized, and we are ready to offer our services to all parties. I believe it is only a matter of time before talks begin.
In the rapid developments that have taken place in recent weeks, the Lebanon track seems to have been somewhat excluded from public attention. It is vital to bring about more stable conditions in Lebanon for her to develop favourably. We hope that a political solution for the Lebanese track can be found quickly, and we are ready to assist as best we can with regard to this track.
I have, up till now, examined the peace work mainly from the political standpoint. Politics has the main role in achieving peace, but, at the same time, economic and other types of regional cooperation will play an important part in increasing trust and, above all, securing the peace that has been achieved. This will be handled on a multilateral track. It still has not succeeded in living up to the expectations we had of it as a factor in supporting the peace process, but I believe that it offers every prospect of success. Indications of that are EU cooperation with the Mediterranean countries within the framework of the Barcelona Process and moves to continue the MENA series of Summits next spring.
A just, comprehensive and lasting peace will bring with it, not only changes in regional cooperation, but also pressures for change within the countries themselves. We were glad to see the parties preparing to reconcile themselves to unavoidable bilateral compromises demanded on both sides. Now is no longer the time for harsh words. We earnestly believe the changes in the Middle East to be only for the good, if only people get to enjoy the fruits of change. Finland, as the country holding the Presidency, fully understands that there is an opportunity for profound change and will continue, together with our partners, to promote peace and the common interest with every means at our disposal.
Much has changed since the last spring. Six months ago we were in a situation in which the implementation of the Wye River Accord, signed in October 1998, had come to nothing. The Israeli Government, owing to internal political pressures, was unable to secure the implementation of the treaty, and the country ended up going to the polls prematurely. The ending of the mid-term stage of the Oslo Agreement on May 4 this year made the situation more uncertain. The Palestinians had said they would unilaterally declare the existence of an independent Palestinian State on that day. When, at the same time, a heated election campaign got under way in Israel, the situation looked likely to come to a crisis. There was a general atmosphere of disappointment and uncertainty. Furthermore, people were afraid that terrorist attacks would increase.
Today, the situation is to a large extent different. The result of the Israeli parliamentary elections and the election for Prime Minister in May was a turning point that made it possible to restart work on settling the conflict. Israel’s new government has given an assurance to the international community that it will strive in earnest to attain peace with its neighbours. There is always a hint of the unexpected associated with political developments in the Middle East, however. What is different about the situation at the end of last year compared with this spring is that this time there is some cause for hope. We have a display of increased political will, of the capacity for direct talks and the timely implementation of agreements.
I know that the European Parliament closely follows the development of the Middle East peace process and that there is a good deal of expertise here in matters relating to the region, as shown by the study published by the Parliament on the subject. I shall concentrate on developments since last spring. That was when Parliament last issued a statement on the matter.
Finland, as the country in the Union to hold the Presidency, has consistently considered the Middle East peace process to be one of the most important issues in the common foreign and security policy. We follow the development of the peace process carefully and are in close contact with all parties. The Finnish Foreign Minister visited the region on 1 – 5 August. The Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, is right now in the region, on a visit which will take in Israel, the Palestinian areas, Syria and Lebanon. Furthermore, we have regarded the comprehensive network of contacts set up by special envoy Miguel Moratinos, as well as his vast expertise, as being of immense benefit. His work has been very valuable from the point of view of EU transparency, visibility, and contact for discussions.
The European Union has made an important contribution to developments in recent months. We have always encouraged the parties involved to take part in discussions and negotiations. In addition, we have always tried to create opportunities to generate a climate of opinion that is favourable to the peace process and we have worked to ease tension. A good example of this is the declaration made at the Berlin European Council, which, in my opinion, played an important part in reducing tension in the spring.
It is hoped that the EU will be more active in the Middle East peace process in many contexts. It is true that we are in a very influential position. Europe has a solid, one thousand-year-old Mediterranean connection to the Middle East and an unparalleled knowledge of the region. We are not trying to compete with the United States or any of the other players in terms of whose role is more important, but seek close dialogue with them. The prospect for the near future would appear to be that, with regard to the Palestinian track, both sides will discuss the matter directly with one another, without any appreciable participation on the part of others.
There is broad consensus among the Member States of the Union regarding the basic issues and objectives of the Middle East peace process. It has solidified during the last decade, which has meant that the role of the Union in the region has gathered strength. We are already now the largest donor of aid to the Palestinians, which is visible, from the political point of view, in the important contribution we are making, for example, to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee to coordinate Palestinian aid, to be held in Tokyo in mid-October. Economic cooperation and expert technical assistance in certain matters relating to the permanent status negotiations, and in the area of good administration, are those areas where we have been of help and where we are ready to act in the future also. In addition, the European Union believes it is very important to have projects involving the cooperation of citizens, which would bring individuals into contact with each other in a positive way. This kind of cooperation has quietly gone on during all the years of the cessation of peace.
The current stage of the political peace process can be regarded as having once more got under way with the agreement made at Sharm el-Sheikh last month. The international community supports the agreement made by the parties involved. The implementation of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum has got off to an excellent start, with Israel and the Palestinians fulfilling their obligations to the letter. The implementation of the agreement, through tangible practical action, will be the best way to rebuild trust between the sides. The agreement will create a new belief that the principles of Oslo have not been forgotten. In my view, there will be a need for faith and trust. The parties have purposefully left the most difficult and sensitive issues to be solved later. The one-year deadline set by the parties for signing a permanent status agreement is an ambitious one. However, determination, the consistent building of mutual trust, and the right attitude will make the objective achievable. The European Union is prepared to assist with every means at its disposal, should the parties so desire."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples