Brussels, 09/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, called for an “early resumption” of negotiations between Israel and Palestine, in order to advance the Middle East Peace Process. This is what he affirmed after meetings with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, on Sunday and Monday 8-9 July. Barroso emphasised that “the Middle East Peace Process cannot become an orphan of the Arab Spring” and added that the significant changes in the Arab world should provide an incentive and not a deterrent to the resumption of negotiations.
The president of the Commission explained that it is important that the two sides support confidence-building measures to relaunch the peace process. He added that the two sides should refrain from taking action that could compromise the viability of a two state solution. On Sunday, he highlighted the EU's concerns about the continued growth of settlements on the West Bank, although a report by three legal experts had made a recommendation on Monday advocating the legalisation of these unplanned settlements.
During a meeting with Fayyad, Barroso welcomed the signs of “concrete progress” being made in the area of Palestinian reconciliation. The president of the Commission said that this was a key factor that could help towards the unity of the future Palestinian state and a two state solution, and in this connection he called for elections to be held in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He also explained that political and financial support from the EU was creating the foundations of a viable and democratic Palestinian state and therefore “contributing to a two state solution”.
Further EU financial assistance. The president of the Commission and the Palestinian prime minister also signed a new cooperation agreement worth €20 million to help develop the rule of law and democracy. Barroso pointed out that the EU was the biggest donor to the Palestinian people, including the contributions made through UNRWA, which were worth close to €4 billion between 2000 and the end of 2011.
Ashton-Abbas meeting. On Friday 6 July, the EU high representative met the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Paris to underline the EU's determination to help bring an end to the conflict and reiterate the EU's commitment to the creation of a future Palestinian state that would live side-by-side in peace and security with Israel. She underlined that it was “essential” that the international community redoubled its efforts to financially support attempts made by the Palestinian Authority to improve the viability of the state. (CG/transl.fl)