Strasbourg, 07/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - A "window of opportunity" was opened in Camp David for the Middle East Peace Process. So that it does not close again, the parties must continue to make an effort to seek a global and definitive agreement, and the European Union is, for its part, willing to play its role in contributing to the success of such an effort. This was the view expressed by EU Council President Pierre Moscovici when opening the debate at the European Parliament on the Middle East Peace Process. Mr Moscovici welcomed the new impetus given in Camp David and noted that, with this dynamic approach, the Union has a role to play, a role along three lines: a) encouragement to the parties through close political and regular dialogue, among other things by the intermediary of the EU's Special Envoy, Mr Moratinos; - b) contribution to seeking solutions, by playing a role of "support, facilitator and intermediary", complementary to that played by the United States. The Berlin Declaration of March 1999 is a reference text; - c) support to implementation of the agreements, by creating the conditions for harmonious economic and social development, in the context of strengthening regional integration. It is too soon to say what agreement there could be on the permanent status of Palestinian territories, notes Mr Moscovici, but the coming of a "viable, pacific and democratic" Palestinian State is "ineluctable" and, what is more, is the best guarantee of security for Israel. The Union's preference would be for its creation at the end of a negotiation process, but it does not make this a condition.
Progress made at Camp David must be used as a basis on which to build, agreed Chris Patten, on behalf of the European Commission. He stressed that the Union has a key role to play in Syria, where it must encourage economic reform (the "extremely good" visit he has just made in that country this year encourages him, he says, along this road), and that there is still much to be done in Lebanon. The general requests for aid must be translated into specific projects and concrete proposals. The Commission's concern is essentially that credits must be spent as effectively as possible and more speedily, and the Commission's communication on revitalising the Barcelona Process is very significant in this context, said the Commissioner.
The MEPs who took part in the discussion appealed to the parties to show proof of the perseverance needed to give peace a chance. The chairman of the United Left Group, French Communist Francis Wurtz, welcomed in this context the "sovereign and responsible" decision of the Palestinians to postpone the proclamation of a Palestinian State. "I am convinced", said Mr Wurtz, that the "Palestinian leaders will be willing to postpone this deadline a few weeks" (if, by 13 September, it has the feeling that things are not moving towards a global agreement). Europe plays an important role in this region mainly with its investment policy, but its action must have a more political nature, states Mr Galeote-Quecedo, from Spain, on behalf of the EPP. Speaking for the Socialist Group, Mr Baron Crespo insisted on the fact that Europe's action must come within the strengthening of the Euro-Mediterranean process. Peace talks must resume, involving not only the States but also the religious communities, says Mr De Clerq, from Belgium, speaking for the Liberal Group.