Brussels, 06/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, High Representative of the EU for CFSP, on Monday condemned the Israeli military raids that took place in Syria on Sunday, as a reprisal for the suicide bombing in Haïfa (Israel) on Saturday. "The fight against terrorism, in which the EU is fully engaged, has to take place within the rules of international law. In a crisis area like the Middle East, it is particularly important that any actions taken are conducive to lowering, not increasing tension. The issue is now in the hands of the UN Security Council, which I welcome. We now have to wait for the outcome of discussions in New York".
The countries of Europe reacted quickly to the Israeli operation, fearing, like Russia, that such acts could extend the conflict to other countries of the region. German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, on an official visit to Cairo, and the Egyptian President Hosni Moubarak, on Sunday together condemned the Israeli raids and the suicide bombing. "Violating the sovereignty of a third country complicates the (peace) process further, and that is why we cannot accept what happened in Syria", said the German Chancellor, as quoted by AFP. Whilst recognising the Hebrew State's right to take measures to protect itself against terrorist attacks, the British Foreign Secretary indicated that "such measures should be carried out in the context of international law". France expressed the view that the Israeli attack was an "unacceptable violation of international law and the rules of sovereignty", and was particularly concerned about "risks of escalation". Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow called on all parties concerned in the conflict to show restraint.