Brussels, 30/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliamentary Delegation for relations with the Mashraq countries (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan), meeting in Brussels on Wednesday 29 September, received a report from the European Commission - represented by DG Relex official Andreas Fiedler - on relations with the region in the context of the peace process.
Several members of the delegation, including chairman Mário David (EPP, Portugal) regretted that the EU's role in the process was not sufficiently visible. “We are always behind the others and missing opportunities” to show that European diplomacy is present in the region, said Frieda Brepoels (European Greens and member of the Belgian NVA). The reaction of High Representative Catherine Ashton, who, it was announced at the meeting, will begin a three-day visit to the Middle East on 30 September, was felt to be too slow. She should have made contact with protagonists before 26 September to try to persuade them not to let discussions become deadlocked. “She is going only because Sarkozy has spoken” of the need for Europe to move, Mário said. Rosario Crocetta (S&D, Italy) stated, however, that the EU cannot intervene alone, and, backed by the chairman, he regretted that the refusal by Israel some months ago to allow a European Parliament delegation to enter Gaza had brought no reaction from either the Council or the Commission. (F.B./transl.rt)