Brussels, 11/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The latest developments in the Middle East were discussed by the EU15 Foreign Ministers on Monday in Brussels, on the basis of the report presented to them by CFSP High Representative Javier Solana, on his recent meetings with Shimon Perez and Yasser Arafat, as well as his meeting in Washington (with Koffi Anan and the American authorities). No conclusions were reached at this stage. Consensus was reached on the need to do everything to ensure that the spiral of violence is stopped and to reopen political negotiations, in a concern for security and a political solution to the conflict. It will be up to the European Summit of Barcelona, on 15 and 16 March, to send a powerful message, if possible in agreement with the Americans, Russia and the Arab countries, in order to find a way out of the conflict.
The ministers noted and welcomed the positive political elements that make up withdrawal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the condition that he had posed for resuming negotiations (7 days without incident), his decision to give Yasser Arafat his freedom of movement within the Occupied Territories, the return to Palestine of General Anthony Zini, US Special Envoy, and the presence of US Vice-President Dick Cheney in the region, to witness re-engagement by the United States on the ground.
Commenting on this exchange of views, Josep Piqué told the press that the Council had expressed its deep concern about the daily episodes of extreme violence. "We recognise that political and diplomatic work must be stepped up. Certain circumstances deserved our attention: we welcome the decision to allow Yasser Arafat his freedom of movement, but we would like to see this freedom of movement extended to outside the Occupied Territories so that he can be present at the Arab League summit in Beirut end March", he said. In his view, renouncing the precondition of 7 days without violence opens the road for a ceasefire. The sending of American Envoy Zini is to be welcomed as an important and very positive step, just as the ideas expressed by Egyptian President Mubarak and the initiative by Prince Abdalah of Saudi Arabia, which must constitute a "reference for possible resumption of peace talks". "All these initiatives deserve our support. In Barcelona, the Summit will make a clear, strong and unambiguous statement", said Mr Piqué.