Barcelona, 15/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The EU15 Heads of State and Government should discuss and no doubt approve, during Friday evening in Barcelona, a draft declaration on the Middle East proposed by the Spanish Presidency. The proposal will mainly call for urgent implementation of Resolution 1397 whereby the United Nations Security Council explicitly spoke, this week, in favour of the creation of a Palestinian State. The two-page declaration insists not only on the creation of a viable Palestinian State and on the right for Israel to live in peace and security, but also supports the initiative of the Saudi crown prince for bringing the peace process out of deadlock. Furthermore, it stresses the role that must be played by Europe, the United States, Russia and the Arab countries, and makes a new appeal for violence to cease and for the last obstacles to the free movement of President Arafat to be lifted.
President of the Italian Council Silvio Berlusconi presented a five-year assistance programme for the Palestinians. The programme, worth EUR 6.2 billion, that he compared to the Marshall Plan, would facilitate the return of peace to the Middle East. "The international community will be responsible (for this plan) but Italy will ensure it is in the fore as it would be absurd to have wanted the plan and then not appear among those setting the example", said Mr Berlusconi on the fringe of the European Council meeting.
During his press conference, European Parliament President Pat Cox recalled for his part that he had discussed with the EU Special Envoy for the Middle East, Miguel Angel Moratinos, about the possibility of carrying out two initiatives marking the Parliament's attachment to rekindling the peace process. These initiatives are: - the invitation to President Yasser Arafat and to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, to come and speak before the European Parliament; - the visit to Ramallah of the European Parliament President and of the presidents of other EU parliaments, and the holding of a solemn meeting with the presidents of the Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative Council.