Brussels, 07/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 6 November, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz called on the European Union to address the issue of the EU's presence in the Middle East “more seriously” and also in the resolution of the conflict. “Can we allow ourselves to contribute so little to a solution to the conflict?” he asked during a conference at the European Parliament on this issue. “Europe has contributed to the debate on a solution but does not play its role to contribute to this solution”, he said. “We can't accept failure in these negotiations. That would only fan the flames of the conflict. Debate must be deepened on how we can establish relations with the negotiators and on how we can put forward a new partnership as Europeans”, he added. Schulz stated that the EU must work so that the social imbalance between the Palestinians might be resolved, and so that the issue be discussed with the Israelis. He wanted the launch of a programme enabling young Palestinians, Israelis and Europeans to meet because dialogue is an “indispensible condition for better understanding”, and he regretted that they don't know each other better. Schulz also believed that the demographic and sociological context is often underestimated by Europe.
EU active in conflict resolution. Andreas Reinicke, the EU special representative for the Middle East peace process said that the EU is far from being inactive. In his view, “what is happening now is based on the own initiative of Europe”. He stated that the EU is accompanying the peace process and that Catherine Ashton is in close contact with US Secretary of State John Kerry. “If hopes are disappointed, we will see if the EU must act differently, but for now we should support the US and work on plan A and not on plan B”, he added. “We sometimes have the feeling that we are getting bogged down in a pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli debate. We must be pro-European. Settlement of this conflict corresponds to the defence of our own interests”, he said, recalling that the Middle East is only a few miles from the coast of Cyprus. “The conflict can influence our political decisions”, Reinicke added.
In the opinion of Palestine's ambassador to the EU, Leila Shahid, a solution is in the EU's interest. “What is the Euro-Mediterranean vision of Europe worth if there is no peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, between the Israelis and the Arab world?” she asked. Shahid hailed the EU's work because “Europe's presence is essential for the very existence of the Palestinians. Europe has enabled the infrastructure of a state to be built - a state that will see the light of day”. She recalled that the most dangerous aspect is not what is happening around the negotiating table, but on the ground - imposing fines on the settlements. For his part, the Israeli ambassador to the EU, David Walzer, recalled that many rounds of negotiations have been made bilaterally. He stated that it is necessary “to support both sides”, and hoped that the situation would improve. “Focusing on the settlements is to divert attention from other important issues”, he said (our translation throughout). (CG/transl.fl)