Brussels, 14/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - As briefly announced in our bulletin of 12 July (p.6), the Council appointed by written procedure on Monday the Belgian national, Marc Otte, as Special EU Representative for the Middle East. Mr Otte will act under the authority of Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for CFSP, and will have the task of: - effectively contributing to the EU's political action in favour of a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; - maintaining close contacts with all the parties involved in the Middle East peace process (neighbouring countries, members of the Quartet and the United Nations); - taking part in finalising an international agreement to be signed between the parties; - and facilitating cooperation on security issues and setting in place the EU programme in this connection.