Brussels, 29/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee on the situation in the Middle East, on 28 August (see EUROPE of 29 August, p.2), the Committee's chair, German Christian-Democrat Elmar Brok stressed that "the escalation of violence, which takes the form of a growing number of victims every day, is a reason for great concern". "The appeal launched by the international community to the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to reach an effective and lasting cease-fire, so as to allow for the resumption of dialogue and re-establish a climate of mutual trust must be heard by the holders of decision-making powers on both sides. Most urgently, the presence of international observers, which could contribute to this, must be accepted by both sides", says the press release, adding that the Foreign Affairs Committee (1) reiterates its support for the Mitchell Report, (2) would like the Council and Commission to present a statement at Parliament's plenary session, in Strasbourg next week and (3) calls on the Conference of EP Presidents to send a "very high level" delegation of the European Parliament to the region so as to meet the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, hand them, as well as their respective public opinions, an appeal for peace and to manifest the will to contribute to resuming serious negotiations between the two sides.