Brussels, 18/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, announced the desolation he feels about the situation in the Middle East during a declaration on Wednesday in plenary. He said that, despite the ray of hope in recent days, the situation is extremely difficult and that terrorist acts and the responses to terrorist acts are a spiral that we are witness to. Mr Solana urged the international community to do everything possible to have the roadmap applied "otherwise it will be a failure as was the Mitchell report", he said. This, therefore, is why he expects a great deal from the ministerial meeting scheduled to be held on Sunday in Amman between the Quartet and the Israeli, Palestinians and Jordanian leaders, as well as from the negotiations that are being held between the Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen and the Hamas leaders, on one hand, and between Palestinian and Israeli leaders, on the other. Commissioner Chris Patten insisted on the implementation of the Road Map and asserted that the Union had to contribute to the monitoring process, which is has planned, as well as exercising pressure on Arab countries to stop supporting terrorist groups. At the same time, Israel has to make an effort to restore confidence, he added. On Iran, Mr Patten explained that the request involved the signing of an additional protocol, which was presented by the EU at every meeting with Iranian officials but which contrary to other cases, such as dialogue on civil rights and trade matters, no progress was able to be made (see p 15).
Gerardo Galeote Quecedo said that Europeans had to prove their broad realism and pragmatism. They have to support Abou Mazem and create trust in him, Mr Galeote said and proposed that he be invited to the European Parliament.
He added that he did not agree with the isolation of President Arafat. The President of the, Enrique Baron, President of the Socialist group, said that it was necessary to ask the next President of the European council to visit Israel and speak to the Palestinians.
Mr Baron also asked for Hamas to be added to the black list of terrorist organisations and called on Israel to put an end to summary executions.
He asserted that the Socialist groups supported the intensification of relations with this country "which wanted to open up its society" but which had to sign the additional IAEA protocol.
Jan Mulder speaking on behalf of the Liberal group supported sending an international inter-positional force to the Middle East in an effort to get all the violence to cease.
Luisa Morgantini speaking for the GUE/NGL group underlined the fact that it was necessary to ask, with the same force, the Palestinians to end the terrorism and Sharon to respect the initial phases of the Road Map. She also supported the sending of an inter-positional force.
Mr Dhaene speaking for the Greens/EFA said that the EU should develop its role at the Quartet.