Brussels, 20/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Union's High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, insisted on Monday that the Palestinian Prime Minister should have real authority. On the eve of his trip to the Middle East (see EUROPE of 20 July, p.4) and as the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, has to face the resignation of his government leader for the second time in one year, Javier Solana considers that only a prime minister with real powers would be able to take the Middle East peace process forward, now currently in impasse. "We have supported and we want a prime minister with authority", Mr Solana said on Monday, reported by Reuters. He felt that "it will be very difficult for the peace process to move forward, which is our aim, if there is no Palestinian Authority". Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Koreï stated that he still intended to resign despite President Arafat's persistent refusal to accept his resignation. Mr Koreï's predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, resigned last September. The EU's High Representative for CFSP stated he was in contact with Mr Koreï and that this would be the case in coming days.