Biarritz, 13/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - "We are all traumatised" by the tragic events in the Middle East, all the more as, fifteen years ago, it seemed an agreement was really close, said President Chirac during a press conference after dinner on Friday between the Heads of State or Government of the EU Fifteen, with the participation of Commission President Romano Prodi, High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana and Council President Hubert Védrine. "We have been cruelly disappointed", said Jacques Chirac, adding that the EU will do "everything and more" in order to help to bring violence to an end and to resume dialogue. We shall do this with "our intelligence of things, our experience, our good will and our heart", he said. Also, to the question of knowing whether the European Union should be present at the summit that could be held over coming days, he replied saying that, in a situation as tricky as this, our aim must be to resume dialogue, "if we can do something, then we shall do our utmost, we shall intervene in a friendly way" with the different parties and, "if we are asked to take part, we shall be there, but we do not wish to complicate things for anyone". EUROPE stresses that the president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, who met the former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in Biarriz, indicated in a press release that Mr Peres had felt, as she had done, that, if there is a summit in the Middle East in coming days, then the EU should take part. Mr Chirac noted that Europe, while it has always been "an element of moderation, comprehension, and good will" in the Middle East, has only been marginally involved in the peace process and that the importance of the work of its Special Envoy for the region, Miguel Angel Moratinos, is sometimes underestimated.
Javier Solana, for his part, will report to the Heads of State and Government on his mission to the region where, he said, he will be after the Biarritz summit. We believe this is a "small opportunity" and Europe will do everything possible for it to result in a peace solution, he said.
Text of the Biarritz Declaration
During their lunch, the Heads of State or Government adopted the following declaration, which had been prepared at their request by the foreign ministers:
"Given the real danger of a general flare-up, we address a solemn appeal to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to stop the escalation and bring an immediate end to all violence. All parties must demonstrate political courage and responsibility so that reason and tolerance prevail over fear, hatred and extremism before the point of no return is reached. There is for the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of the Palestinian Authority no other way than that of peace and negotiation on the basis of what has been achieved at Camp David, which it is essential to preserve. The peace process must be saved. Time is running out. We call on the parties to participate, in a constructive spirit, in a summit meeting, in order to secure the urgent resumption of the dialogue. The European Union, which more than ever remains committed to peace, fully supports the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We are requesting Mr Javier Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative of the CFSP, to continue his mission in the region".