08/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - Turning to the situation in the Middle East and the prospects for a resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, at a press conference in Nice Thursday evening, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said that the debate among the Fifteen had demonstrated "a great meeting of minds regarding this region". Following this debate, the Fifteen adopted a declaration on Friday on the Middle East. EUROPE will return to this.
Javier Solana is to go to the region after the Summit of Nice to look into the possibilities of the EU playing a role in the resumption of the talks. At the end of next week, Mr. Vedrine will also, on behalf of the French Presidency, go on a "lightning trip", taking him to Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.