Brussels, 24/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton, will be in Israel and the Occupied Territories on 24-26 January to try to persuade the two parties to return to the negotiating table. During her visit, the high representative will hold meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
Before leaving, Ashton said that she would “continue to make every effort to push the peace talks and encourage the parties in the path towards a negotiated solution”. That negotiators are talking to each other face-to-face is “encouraging”, she said, adding that she will be “looking for positive signs from both sides” that they are “prepared to turn this progress into real gestures and negotiations”. “Developments in the region make peace in the Middle East even more urgent and necessary”, she added.
On Monday 23 January, at the Foreign Affairs Council, ministers called on Israel and the Palestinians to demonstrate their “commitment” to a peaceful solution through action that can build confidence and “create an environment of trust necessary to ensure meaningful negotiations, leading to a comprehensive and lasting peace”. They called on both sides to come forward with “comprehensive proposals” on borders and security. “A bold and decisive demonstration of political leadership is needed from both sides to encourage the momentum and ensure real progress”, they argued.
Highlighting the “backdrop of worrying developments on the ground in 2011, particularly with regard to settlements”, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to a two state solution. It also welcomed the efforts by Jordan to facilitate direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, and “the central role” of the Quartet. (CG/transl.rt)