Strasbourg, 19/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - EU Council President Jaime Gama reported to the EP on Wednesday on the results of his trip to the Middle East, with High Representative for CFSP Mr Solana (see EUROPE of 17/18 January, p.9). The Commissioner responsible for external relations, Chris Patten, also made a statement, saying how much he regretted not having taken part in this visit because of a prior engagement involving his presence at the opening of the European agency for reconstruction in Thessalonika ("finally, instead of landing in Greece, I landed in Munich, but that's another story", said Mr Patten).
Mr Gama felt that the peace process was well under way but that it was necessary to overcome two obstacles represented by delay in beginning negotiations with Israel and the Palestinians on the financial status, and the refusal by Syria to open negotiations on Lebanon.
EUROPE will come back to the two declarations and the debate tomorrow. Resolutions will be voted on Thursday.