Brussels, 22/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Egypt and the European Union consider that the situation in the Palestinian territories is improving although Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Koreï still wishes to resign. After holding a telephone conversation with Mr Koreï on Tuesday, the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, said he was convinced the Palestinian Authority would implement the proposals for restructuring Palestinian security forces. It was the opinion of Mr Solana, who spoke at the press conference in Cairo, one of the stops during his tour of the Middle East, that the recent disturbances in the Gaza Strip are a "call to attention" heard and heeded by the Palestinian Authority. "I believe that a decision on policy and security forces will be taken, has already been taken, and will be implemented", he said according to Reuters. "I believe we are heading in the right direction", Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said for his part, pointing out that the consolidation of security forces will "lead to an easing of the tension in Gaza".
Furthermore, on Tuesday, Mr Solana said when speaking from Amman (Jordan) that he found "offensive" the call made by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the Jews of France urging them to immediately immigrate to Israel. The appeal launched early this week had provoked anger from the French government which immediately reacted by temporarily declaring Mr Sharon "persona non grata". Mr Solana, reported by AFP, said the French government has decided not to invite Mr Sharon to France as his remarks were offensive to the government and people of France. He avoided all further comment on the crisis between Israel and Paris.