Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-06-Speech-3-071"
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"en.19991006.2.3-071"2
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"As Minister Sasi said, this has been a very helpful debate. It has underlined the concern of Parliament and of the entire European Union to play a constructive role in the Middle East. Several speakers: Mr Galeote at the beginning of the debate, and Mr Schori – pointed out that after some rather and difficult, gloomy months and years there was at least a hint of dawn on the horizon. I think that is true, and it was reflected in what most honourable Members said.
Of course Mr Poos is correct in saying, with all his knowledge and experience, that – and I paraphrase him – ‘it is a little too early to open the champagne’. There is more work to do. We intend to do what we can to assist the process and I want to express once again my gratitude to Ambassador Moratinos for all that he has been doing in the region to contribute a great deal of assistance on the part of the Union.
Perhaps it is just worth emphasising once again the strength of our economic relationship. We are, of course, the largest economic partner of Israel, and it is worth recalling as well the total aid to the Palestinians. European Union assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip from 1994 to 1998 totalled EUR 1.5 billion and European Union assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency during the same period totalled approximately EUR 505m. That is a very substantial commitment by any standards.
The honourable Lady who spoke on behalf of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Parties – we know one another from different pasts – referred to the importance of fair as well as open trade between the region and the European Union. When I saw Foreign Minister Levy in New York a couple of weeks ago, I said to him that I did not think that our relationship should be drowned in orange juice – there are important trade issues we have to resolve, of which orange juice is one. There are more comprehensive issues that we have to resolve, and I am sure we should aim to do that in the next few months.
Mr Collins, speaking about halfway through our debate, said that he thought there was a more promising outlook in the Middle East. I think that reflected the consensus, during the discussion, that there is the opportunity of carrying things forward more helpfully, and we certainly intend to do all that we can in the Commission to contribute to that process."@en1
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