Brussels, 25/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, provided answers to questions put to him on Monday from members of the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament. He said that 2005 would be a very intense year for the Union and its foreign policy. He explained that adding a renewed dynamic to the relationship with the USA was “very high on the agenda”, as well as the continuation of the Middle East peace process, “a region that directly affects us”. Commenting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Solana said that he hoped 2005 would finally be a year of peace and hope, allowing for the foundation stone to be built for peaceful cohabitation between two sovereign and independent states. Solana averred that elections in Iraq would also have an impact on the stability in the regions and consequently, on the EU. He then referred to a multitude of subjects which are as follows:
- Ukraine. Mr Solana congratulated Mr Yushchenko for having on Monday chosen Russia as his first port of call abroad. The president had take the “wise decision of going East”, commented Mr Solana. The High Representative insisted that by having good relations with Moscow, Ukraine would not have to choose between the EU and Russia because it would able to nurture EU goals and maintain good relations with Russia. Solana said that it was important that the “EU/Ukraine/Russia triangle worked well.
- USA. The EU hopes that the visit of president Bush (22 February) will help establish “a more fluid and intense relationship” with Washington as a better relationship would mean that they were better able to solve the major problems in the world. It is important that in the future, Trans-Atlantic relations are based more on three elements: pragmatism, the will on both sides for a result-oriented relationship and the implementation of an early warning system that would help them deal with problems early on, even before they rose to the surface. Asked about the conceptual divergences between Brussels and Washington, Mr Solana acknowledged that it was true that the EU supported multilateralism and that the USA was more unilateral but, “it appears to me that in the most recent speeches from Washington, we agreed with each other and we noted a greater desire for dialogue over monologue”, which bode well for the future.
- Embargo on arms to China. The up and coming lifting of the arms embargo (which the Luxembourg presidency is due to reach a decision) will be “more a political decision than a military one…It simply involves putting a stop to a political decision made at a specific time in the history of China, rather than a modification of military relations between the EU and China. It does not mean increasing arms exports”, affirmed Solana.
- Iraq. The refusal of the Sunnis to take part in the elections on 30 January should not mean marginalising an important group as this would be a “disaster for the future of the country if there were no Sunni representation” and for the preparation of the future Constitution. Solana insisted that all segments of the country should be able to participate. Asked about the lack of unity of EU Member States on Iraq, Mr Solana said that they would have to wait for the elections and the setting up of a democratically elected government for such Union unity to appear.
- Iran. The EU had chosen the road of negotiations and diplomacy to obtain the suspension of the Iranian nuclear programme. Mr Solana said that they hoped that at the end of the process, “Iran will give us objective guarantees that uranium enrichment did not aim to lead to an increase in nuclear weapons in the Middle East, which is already over-contaminated with nuclear weapons. This is one of the main components in EU/Iran relations” (see p 6).
- Middle East. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza should be done in an “orderly and coordinated way” between Israelis and Palestinians. After the Palestinian elections and the obvious will of president Mahmoud Abbas to respect the commitments made in the Road Map, there is no reason to speak of a “unilateral” withdrawal from Gaza, explained Solana, who welcomed the attitude of the Israelis as being “positive and constructive” during he Palestinian electoral process. The Palestinian general elections in June will be perhaps more important that the presidential for stabilising the Palestinian Authority and pushing the peace process forward.
- Cyprus. The main responsibility for launching a new initiative for reunification did not necessarily lie with the UN Secretary General, Kofi Anna, declared Mr Solana, adding, “I don't think that he will be presenting new initiatives immediately but he is ready to act when there's a sign of possible agreement”.
- Anticipating the Constitution on CFSP. While awaiting the ratification of the Constitution, as many CFSP measures as possible should be applied, without betraying the spirit of the Treaty, said Solana. Everything we can do to turn the spirit of the Constitution into a reality before it actually comes into force should be done, said Solana, adding that he intended to follow this path.
