27/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a press statement Armin Laschet MEP CDU described the behaviour of EU Member States as "irresponsible" during the Council meeting of 26 July for having failed to take a position on the "crisis situation in the Palestinian Authority". The international press has indicated that "for several day new accusations of corruption" have been made with regard to the authority exercised by Yasser Arafat but that, "instead of strengthening reforming elements around prime minister Kurei and the minister of finance, Fajad, ministers of foreign affairs decided to keep quiet till September", complained the MEP. Laschet insisted that, "we can't on the one hand demand an important role as mediator for the EU in the peace process in the Middle East, and on the other, close our eyes at such an escalation in the situation".