Brussels, 18/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - European local authorities in the EuroPalestine network are calling upon the European Union to put pressure on Israel. During their meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 September, the Mayors and town councillors of the member towns of EuroPalestine said that "political pressure must be brought to bear on the Sharon government to apply its United Nations resolutions. For this reason, (they) call upon national and European institutions to urgently take the political and economic measures necessary against the current Israeli government, which is ignoring its commitments under its association agreement with the European Union".
In a statement adopted on Wednesday, the EuroPalestine network highlighted the need for a political solution to the conflict, which "must fit in with the coexistence of two States, for two peoples". They are protesting about the fact that their "co-operation with the Palestinian authorities has been made extremely difficult by the current situation", and mentioned difficulties with communications and "achievements destroyed by Israeli army incursions". They added that their "solidarity with the Palestinian people" should not be "interpreted as an act of enmity towards the Israeli people".
Ghassan Shaka'a, mayor of Naplouse and chairman of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, took part in the meeting.