Brussels, 25/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 24 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton met Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman to discuss - amongst other subjects - the Middle East peace process, against the background of violence at the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Little information has filtered through on the European side, while the Israelis have been more forthcoming.
In a press release on her meeting with Peres, Ashton said that the EU and Israel will continue to seek a two-state solution. “The changes across the Arab world make the need for progress on the Middle East peace process all the more urgent. Heeding the aspirations of the people in the region, including those of Palestinians for statehood and those of Israelis for security, is a crucial element for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the region”, she said.
Peace process on a bad track.
According to Israeli media and in a press release, Lieberman stated that he had said to Ashton that “on the Palestinian track there was neither a process nor peace”. “The problem is Abu Mazen (President Mahmoud Abbas). He is not at all interested in an agreement with Israel. On the contrary, he is looking for an escalation”, he added. He accused the Palestinian leader of waging “diplomatic terror” against Israel, asking the United Nations General Assembly for the recognition of Palestine as a member state, and he said that if this persists, there will be “difficult and far-reaching consequences”.
During the meeting he described the situation in southern Israel as “intolerable” and he said that “no European state would allow such a reality in its territory as the residents of southern Israel are forced to suffer. Israel cannot continue to restrain itself.” He said that Israel expects the EU to “act to prevent the smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip”.
According to Israeli media, Peres said that Israel is behaving “with a great deal of patience. We don't want to see anyone being killed in Gaza, but no one in the world could agree to the current situation.” According to a presidency press release Ashton apparently said that a blood bath is the worst option, and that cooperation and negotiations are always preferable.
Israeli Minister for Defence Ehud Barak cancelled his meeting with Ashton because of the situation.
Ashton and the Israeli leaders also welcomed the EU-Israel agreement, adopted by the European Parliament, on conformity assessment and acceptance (ACAA) - (see EUROPE 10717), and discussed the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme. (CG/transl.fl)