Brussels, 17/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - During lunch at the end of the “General Affairs/External Relations Council on Wednesday, Jean Asselborn informed the press that the situation in the Middle East and recent developments involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “appear to allow for a degree of optimism”. After the 1 March meetings in London (conference supporting the Palestinian Authority, ministerial Quartet) Mr Asselborn said that there had been “enhanced contacts” between Israel and the Palestinians. He added that, “it is particularly opportune to welcome, in this context, the finalisation of this morning's (16 March) agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians and the transfer of security control from the Jericho region (West Bank) to the Palestinian Authority”. Asselborn affirmed that the security plan, the start-up of the Cairo talks on 15 March between the Palestinian factions, with the attendance of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, were all “encouraging factors”.