Brussels, 17/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian EU Council Presidency has condemned the new suicide attack that took place on Monday near the Binyamina station not far from Tel Aviv. In a press release, it recalls the position of the EU15 expressed during the General Affairs Council concerning violence in the region. It also stresses the EU's appeal to the parties that they might keep strictly to their commitments so that an end may be put to violence. EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana also condemned the attack and expressed in a press release his sympathy for the victims' families, the government and the people of Israel.
On Monday, during the General Affairs Council, the foreign ministers adopted conclusions calling on parties to implement "immediately and fully" the recommendations put forward by the committee of inquiry headed by US Senator George Mitchell, and to avoid all provocation. Following a suggestion from France, ministers called for the deployment of independent observers, saying that a surveillance mechanism is needed to overcome the obstacles likely to hinder application of the recommendations. This impartial observation mechanism should make it possible to "restore credibility" to the process but it is obvious that "the sending of observers means an agreement between the parties", said French Minister Hubert Védrine, speaking to the press. British Minister Jack Straw felt that observers could play a key role in restoring trust. The text of the conclusions is a "good point of balance" between the position of the different Member States, said Mr Védrine.