Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-10-22-Speech-3-226"
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"en.20031022.9.3-226"2
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".
Mr President, Mr Patten had to fly to Madrid to the Iraq Donors' Conference, so I present the Commission's opinion.
The report addressed the Commission directly on several issues. Let me briefly go through them. Paragraph 31 refers to future elections in Palestine. The Commission has already made funds available to the independent Central Elections Commission. Preparatory work for elections could start in the coming weeks. The Palestinian Prime Minister is planning to hold elections in June next year. We are prepared to start voter registration as early as next month. But the present restrictions on movement, the cutting off of one community from another, would make the preparation of elections and an election campaign itself well nigh impossible.
In paragraph 38, the report calls for an assessment of economic and financial needs. The Palestinian Authority is working on a strategy for economic stabilisation and recovery. An international donor conference for the Middle East is scheduled to take place in mid-November. We will also have the opportunity to discuss with the World Bank and the IMF the prospects for financial assistance on the basis of the Palestinian budget for 2004.
The Community this year is contributing about EUR 245 million to the Palestinians, either through support of the Palestinian Authority or UNRWA and NGOs. It is the highest per capita support in the world and it is based on the assumption that a viable Palestinian state is in the making and deserves our assistance. Clearly, our help is vital for humanitarian reasons and for attaining a bare minimum of economic activity. It has also helped to create some of the institutional foundations of a Palestinian state. But we need to be clear that, if the situation continues to deteriorate, we are not simply funding the Israeli Defence Force's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Paragraph 40 speaks about schoolbooks. The Commission is not directly involved in this issue. But we have met with a variety of parties concerned in order to facilitate dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. We have also raised the issue in the EU-PLO Joint Committee meeting in June and will observe closely PA endeavours to curb incitement. In this context, let me mention that the latest call for proposals of projects under the EU Partnership for Peace focuses on initiatives to curb violence and incitement to violence.
The next paragraph rightly states that education for peace is one of the cornerstones on the way to a peaceful solution of the conflict. The extension of TEMPUS to the Palestinian territories and the signature of the scientific agreement with Israel, granting it the same status as EU Member States, are but two examples of our support to this concept.
Regarding the international fund mentioned in paragraph 59, I should like to mention that the international community has been making contributions at the rate of about EUR 1 billion a year for the last three years. World Bank reports keep stating that even if this contribution were to be doubled the impact would be minimal. Only an improvement of the security situation and re-establishing freedom of movement would significantly improve the situation.
I agree with paragraph 64 that MEDA regional programmes should be fully used to exploit the potential benefits of regional and cross-border cooperation for the peace process. Discussions in the context of the Wider Europe initiative will take this aspect into account.
Peace, dignity and security are indeed the foundation for a better future in the Middle East. We must all work to that end. It is in the interests of our partners but equally in ours.
I would like to congratulate Mr Menéndez on this very comprehensive report on the situation in the Middle East. I would also like to congratulate him for showing a great deal of diligence and diplomacy in bringing diverging opinions together, while still offering us a report that is full of substance.
When the honourable Member started work on the 'Peace and Dignity' report there was hope that the Road Map would be the way out of the misery that has gripped the Middle East for such a long time. Today, several months later, much of that hope seems to be gone.
Despite the recent setbacks, we must look for a way forward and explore solutions that will lead to an improvement of the situation. Resignation and failure are not options, for the sake of our neighbours, our partners and all people in the region.
The two-state solution is still the most widely accepted solution. The Road Map shows us the way, but what we need is the political determination from the parties and the international community to find that way forward.
Many are trying to explore innovative solutions for solving the hard questions, like refugees and Jerusalem first. A group of Palestinians and Israelis have done just that. Many of us have had a chance today to hear from the experience of these people. The Geneva Accords prove that difficult issues can be discussed and resolved, as painful as they may look for either side. But beyond this, the Geneva Accords prove that there are still admirable people from both sides of the conflict who, in the middle of the current tragedy and chaos, have kept their will and courage to look for positive and peaceful alternatives.
There are other initiatives which deserve similar praise, such as the citizens campaign of Mr Nusseibeh and A. Ayalon who presented their ideas to this house only a few weeks ago and have now attracted more than 80 000 signatures.
The Menéndez report is totally correct in pointing out that any peace plan depends on the political will and honest commitment of the parties. And that commitment seems to be lacking. Is the current Israeli Government ready to accept the two-state solution, with Palestine being a real viable State? Are the Palestinians ready and capable to exercise governmental functions in all areas, including security? Palestinians must take effective control, undertake visible and effective steps against those conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis, and publicly reconfirm the right of existence of Israel. It is equally important to press ahead with the preparation of elections, the constitution and civil society involvement in reform.
Security concerns are given as a reason for the separation barrier deep in the West Bank. But if completed as currently projected in official documents and media speculation, Palestinians would be living in several enclaves which are not connected and are isolated from the outside world. Moreover, the projected route would involve cutting off a large number of Palestinians from their schools, hospitals and other services – and even their livelihoods. It is not too late for Israel to change this. And only yesterday, even some ministers in the Israeli Government criticised the deaths of innocent civilians during the recent Israeli military operations in Gaza, one of the heaviest air strikes for months. Israel really must address these widely expressed concerns."@en1
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