Luxembourg, 12/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 11 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini spoke on the phone to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in order to discuss the recent escalation in violence in the Middle East.
According to a press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mogherini again underlined, during her conversation, the need to avoid any action that would reinforce the tension. “Far from preventing the resumption of a political dialogue, the latest tensions should push both parties to work together for the sake of their people”, she said.
According to Mogherini, the only way to tackle the violence and unrest is to restart a “plausible” political process quickly, and the “immediate priority” is for the parties to agree on substantial steps which would improve the situation on the ground and a return to normal. In Mogherini's words, Abbas and Netanyahu “have both expressed their willingness to work on the implementation of the provisions agreed” at the Quartet meeting at the end of September (see EUROPE 11401).
According to the EEAS, Abbas gave assurances that he is determined to keep the situation under control, while Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the status quo at the holy sites. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)