Brussels, 15/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Union foreign ministers meet on Monday 18 July to look for ways to encourage Israel and the Palestinians to resume long-frozen peace talks. In talks in Brussels, the ministers will also take stock of developments on the ground in Syria, discuss the future of Libya, and welcome the formation of a new government in Lebanon. Over lunch, they will look at ways to help improve relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan, with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joining them to provide information on developments in the insurgency-wracked country. They will also discuss a report by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the EU's military and civilian capabilities and cooperation with partners like the United Nations and NATO.
On the Middle East, the aim is to exchange views ahead of the UN General Assembly in mid-September, and to discuss ways to prepare for any unilateral Palestinian attempt to have the occupied territories recognised as a state. EU member states are divided over whether to support any such move, amid concerns that the issue might spark a new uprising if it is blocked by the United States, which, along with its ally, Israel, opposes it. The ministers want “to see precisely how we can remain united as we move forward to September”, a senior EU official said ahead of the meeting. They will “see how to push forward an initiative to get this result” of new peace talks. The last round of peace discussions broke down in September last year, and in frustration the Palestinians have turned to the United Nations.
Turning to Syria, the ministers are set to deplore the continued crackdown on the protestors, express concern about the humanitarian situation and examine President Bashar Al-Assad's effort to undertake a dialogue with the opposition. “It hasn't gone very far so far”, said the senior official. They will also turn their attention to Libya following a visit by a delegation from the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC), whose vision of a democratic Libya was endorsed by EU and NATO leaders, as the emphasis shifts from the military to the political track, with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi still entrenched, and the rebels disorganised as a fighting force. On Lebanon, the EU will welcome the formation of a new government and express support for an independent Lebanon, but again convey concern that no mention was made of it respecting the special tribunal set up to investigate the killing of former premier Rafik Hariri.
The ministers, whose meeting begins at 9.30am, will also reaffirm the EU's commitment to Pakistan and Afghanistan given the unrest on their common border. “It's more a brainstorming on how we can move forward and help these two countries”, the official said. They will underline that the Afghans must take leadership in the political transition that lies ahead and talks with all parties, including the Taliban. They will also offer support for Pakistan's democratic institutions, civilian government and civil society. (LoC)