Brussels, 27/07/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Union Special Envoy for the Middle East , Miguel Angel Moratinos, who has just spent fifteen days in the corridors of the negotiations at Camp David - the EU not being directly associated with the conference- , confirmed the progress achieved on the road to peace.
In a meeting with the French daily "Le Figaro", Mr. Moratinos noted that "the experience was tiring but positive." And continued: "I must be honest: each camp put forward absolutely innovative proposals, including for Jerusalem. We did not reach a definitive agreement, but we moved forward. We have moved a lot (…) on three points on the agenda. Starting with the percentage of the Israeli retreat from the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.
The figure 95% was even cited during the talks. For lack of an agreement, it was not confirmed. Though the idea of territorial exchange did surface (..) to apply it, the Israelis and Palestinians accepted, at Camp David, the idea of modifications to borders decided by common agreement. We spoke about the Gaza strip, West Bank and the Jerusalem belt. Certain Arab areas will permanently pass under Palestinian sovereignty while Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory will become Israeli." Mr. Moratinos confirmed that " the taboo has been broken" with regard to the statute of Jerusalem and that the main problem remains that of the Holy sites, over which "Arafat could not accept that the Esplanade of Mosques remains under Israeli sovereignty." Questioned on possible outbreaks of violence with the nearing of 13 September, date set for the proclamation of the Palestinian State, Mr. Moratinos said: "We must be vigilant. Though the two sides want to avoid violence, Arafat personally told me this before leaving the United States."
The two parties still want to reach an agreement before next 13 September. They reaffirmed this by indicating that the negotiations could continue as of Sunday.