Brussels, 15/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy repeated their calls, on Wednesday 14 December, for the resumptions of direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, following their separate meetings in Brussels with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “I believe we all share the understanding that ultimately direct negotiations are essential in order to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for statehood”, said Ashton, stating that ““developments on the ground, such as ongoing settlement activity in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, are an obstacle to our peace efforts and threaten to make the two-state solution impossible”.
Earlier in the day, Van Rompuy had “emphasised how the EU remains committed to the two-state solution. I underlined that the best way to achieve this is through direct negotiations between the parties”. “It is my hope that the 'Arab Spring' will have a positive effect also on the Middle East Peace Process”, he added. The key is achievement of democracy and stability in the Middle East and finding success in the two-state peace process, said Abbas, going on to say that he hoped the day would come when the Palestinian flag flew at the United Nations with the support of the EU.
Ashton noted that the EU's overarching objective “remains the creation of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security”. “The EU, along with its Quartet partners (United States, United Nations and Russia), has a key role to play in this process”, she added. On Wednesday, Quartet envoys held separate meetings with Palestinian and Israeli representatives to try to get direct peace negotiations going again.
During his meetings with the European leaders, Abbas also discussed increasing EU-Palestine cooperation. “The EU, the main donor of the Palestinian people, remains committed to further strengthening relations and continuing its financial support to the Palestinians”, Van Rompuy made clear. Abbas stated that EU aid was “essential” and said that the EU was helping Palestine put in place the institutions that will take Palestine towards declaration of statehood.
Discussions also touched on national reconciliation. “The EU … has consistently called for intra-Palestinian reconciliation behind President Mahmoud Abbas. We will continue to expect that any future Palestinian government adhere to the principles to which President Abbas has committed himself”, Van Rompuy stated. (CG/transl.rt)