Brussels, 01/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The day after the Israeli commando stormed six vessels of the peace flotilla bound for Gaza, it is with a single voice that the EU deplores the deadly outcome of Israeli operations which left 9 dead and 52 wounded. It calls for the immediate opening of crossing points in Gaza and an immediate, full and impartial inquiry into the incident, with the full support of the United Nations Security Council which, during the night of Monday to Tuesday, called for a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation”.
According to John Clancy, the European Commission spokesman, Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, stated this position during the meeting on Tuesday 1 June with the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, specifying that there must be an end to the Gaza blockade. The spokesman said: “Ms Ashton expressed her willingness to work with the member states along these lines, and underlined the importance of peace talks. She said she was willing to meet the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Salam Fayad, during his next visit to Brussels”.
On Tuesday, during their annual summit, the European Union and Russia also jointly called for a “full and impartial inquiry” and for the immediate opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and people to and from Gaza (see related article). Speaking on this occasion on behalf of the EU, Herman Van Rompuy, the permanent president of the European Council, told the press he gave his “full support” to this joint statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Catherine Ashton. When asked how he felt personally, he said he was “very shocked” by the “inexplicable loss of human life”. He went on to add: “I am following the situation closely and call for a lasting solution. Peace is our final objective”.
A declaration published on Monday 31 May by Catherine Ashton on behalf of the EU affirmed: “The EU deeply regrets the loss of life during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the flotilla sailing to Gaza and offers its condolences to the families of the victims. The EU condemns the use of violence that has produced a high number of victims among the members of the flotilla and demands an immediate, full and impartial inquiry into the events and the circumstances surrounding them. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a source of grave concern. The EU does not accept the continued policy of closure. It is unacceptable and politically counterproductive. We need to urgently achieve a durable solution to the situation in Gaza. The EU underlines its call for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza. The EU calls on Israel to urgently provide member states with consular access to and information about their citizens. The EU calls upon all parties and relevant actors to prevent a further escalation of tensions and underlines the need to continue the proximity talks with a view to the resumption of direct negotiations”. (A.N./transl.jl)