Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-01-31-Speech-3-091"
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"en.20010131.5.3-091"2
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"Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in view of the Israeli election for prime minister on 6 February, the peace process in the Middle East is at an uncertain stage. During the negotiations in Taba, the parties came closer than ever before to a negotiated solution. At the same time, the violence in the Palestinian areas and the large number of dead and injured has meant a serious reduction in trust between the negotiating parties.
In dialogue with the parties and also in close collaboration with the new American administration, the European Union will continue to do what it can to bring all aspects of the peace process to a successful conclusion.
The Israeli Government faces change, irrespective of the outcome of the election for prime minister on 6 February but, at the same time, there should hopefully be a strong desire for peace on the part of both the Israeli and Palestinian populations. The Israeli election for prime minister and the forthcoming formation of a government will be important factors in determining the future direction of the peace process.
Despite the difficulties, the parties have not wanted to forfeit the progress achieved in spite of everything. In Taba, the parties negotiated directly with each other and without any third party present. The atmosphere on that occasion was serious and results-oriented, and both parties declared themselves optimistic about the opportunities for achieving a final settlement. However, time did not permit any such final settlement to be reached in Taba, but the parties agreed upon a joint concluding statement on 28 January which may constitute a platform to build upon further whenever the negotiations for a final settlement are resumed. I would draw the honourable Members’ and Parliament’s attention to the fact that this statement particularly emphasises the European Union’s role in the continued work for peace.
The presidency is not alone in receiving requests from many quarters to see a strengthening of the European Union’s already major commitment to the whole Middle East issue. The EU has an important role to play in as much as we are the most important trading partner of practically all the countries in the area, as well as the largest donor of public aid to the Palestinian areas. Through its Special Envoy, Mr Moratinos, who has been present the whole time, the EU has of course been able to follow the negotiations in Taba. The very fact that Mr Moratinos has been able to participate and show the European Union’s support for the negotiations and its readiness to assist the parties has been of great value to the Union.
I also want to emphasise that, in recent weeks, the presidency has had regular contacts at the highest level with both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships. A recurrent theme for the presidency in these contacts has been the European Union’s desire to assist the parties in whatever way they wish. Throughout, these contacts have taken place in close collaboration with the High Representative and the General Secretary of the UN.
I also want to emphasise the significance of the fact that the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Solana, is part of the international commission under the leadership of Senator Mitchell which is investigating the current violence in the Palestinian areas and which, hopefully, will eventually submit proposals to prevent a recurrence of this violence.
The ever lengthening crisis has presented the Palestinian population with severe economic and humanitarian problems. The Palestinian Authority has also been grappling with major budgetary problems since the Israeli Government stopped the transfers of tax funds it is obliged to make in accordance with the ‘Paris Protocol’. In a statement of 22 January, the General Affairs Council called upon Israel to resume these transfers. On the initiative of Commissioner Patten, the European Union has also used extra appropriations in order to make funds temporarily available to the Palestinian Authority.
The human rights situation continues to give cause for concern. The European Union has intervened with the Palestinian Authority in connection with the death sentences recently carried out. The Union has also intervened in Israel to condemn the extra-judicial executions of Palestinians, corroborated by military sources. We shall continue to monitor these issues.
Unfortunately, there is no new information about initiatives or progress in the peace negotiations between Israel and Syria and between Israel and Lebanon."@en1
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