Luxembourg, 11/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the final press conference at the end of the Council Anna Lindh stressed the gravity of the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while noting positive developments in the other regions of the Balkans, including in Southern Serbia. She placed emphasis on progress made under the Swedish Presidency in accession negotiations (60 chapters closed and 55 opened). The Gothenburg Summit will have to send out a strong signal on enlargement, she added (although ministers did not agree on a reference to 2002 for the end of negotiations or 2004 for a participation of the countries of the first wave of countries in the European elections "as Member States", as Commissioner Verheugen had proposed). Three countries (France, Belgium and Finland) considered that this precision was not necessary. Austria, which backed the Commissioner's proposal, proposed including Ukraine and Moldova in the European Conference.
Referring to the meetings with Messrs. Chaath and Peres, Ms. Lindh stressed that discussions on the Middle East would continue in Gothenburg, at the EU Summit, and at the EU/United States Summit. The fact of acting together strengthens the possibility of securing results, she said, stating that there could be a joint EU/United States declaration even though that was not the priority.
At his press conference, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Chaath welcomed at length the work of the Europeans (he cited, notably, Messrs. Solana, Moratinos and Fischer) which "proves that Europe has not always to play second fiddle (…), is not just there to foot the bill (…) and can play a more strategic role". While stating that "we need Europe", Mr. Chaath nevertheless recognized the importance of the partnership with the United States. Accusing the Israelis of doing nothing to create the necessary climate for a resumption of the peace process, he stressed the Palestinian commitment in view of a full implementation of the Mitchell Report. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres also confirmed his country's commitment to the full implementation of the report which he stressed was a "joint product of the EU and United States". Asked about the critical declarations of the Israelis regarding President Arafat, he said that Arafat, who was elected by the Palestinians, remained Israeli's partner, and that the tone would become less virulent if progress was made. He also said that he was to see Mr. Chaath in a very short time, with Solana.