Brussels, 16/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly (APEM) created in the context of the Barcelona Process, which met on 15 June in Brussels, welcomed the results of the EuroMed ministerial session held end May in Luxembourg (EUROPE 8960). It also discussed the way its working groups function and their structure. The session was marked by a speech delivered by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, who not only specified the European stance when it comes to seeking a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict but also stressed the priority that the EU plans to give to the political, security and democracy-building aspects in its future relations with the Mediterranean countries. Security would be best assured by combating poverty and injustice, he said, saying also that promoting political reform is an essential task. Mr Solana noted the need to mobilise the widest possible range of actors (governors, parliamentarians, civil society) to ensure the EuroMed process is a success and to raise common challenges together. He above all stressed the role of parliamentarians in their task of democratic control of the process and the funding allocated to this.
During the debate, which focused on the question of human rights, strong differences were expressed about how to conceive this chapter of the work (on substance and on the organisation of the debates). On the European parliamentary side, it was stressed that this does not only aim at the southern rim countries. The example of Italy, which has been accused for its plans to set up retention camps in the third countries, was cited. On the subject of the general organisation of EMPA work, the representatives of Community national parliaments asked to be kept better informed and more involved and announced the creation of “specific coordination”, at the initiative of Belgian MEP Patrick Moriau. EMPA members heard Mr Solana, speaking on the Middle East, who gave his assurance of the European resolve to accompany the process for reactivation of the roadmap and his personal engagement on the ground as of July this year to ensure that Israeli disengagement from Gaza unfolds as it should (EUROPE 8969). Mr Solana also stressed, in response to a Syrian deputy, that the peace the EU advocates must be “global” and concern not only Palestine but also Lebanon and Syria (Golan Heights). The EMPA members intend to recommend that the Assembly bureau, chaired by Josep Borrell, EP President, hold a special session on 6 and 7 November in Jericho or Ramallah (considered a more powerful political symbol) on the eve of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Barcelona Declaration. Israel is not averse to this, said the Israeli delegate who is vice-president of the EMPA Committee on Political Affairs and Security. Majalli Wehbee, Arab deputy of the Knesseth, on many occasions during his speeches (in Hebrew) called on Arab countries to form direct links with Israel. Arab deputies are even invited to go to the Knesseth if they are in Ramallah this November.