Brussels, 15/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers expressed, on Friday, their full support for the formation of a Palestinian national unity government composed of both Hamas and Fatah, but they prefer to wait for such a government to be formed and for it to set out its programme before contemplating pressing on with contact and European aid to the Palestinian Authority. In the meantime, given the very grave humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories, ministers decided to extend the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) for a further three months, thus allowing a large part of the normal EU aid to be carried directly to the Palestinian population, bypassing the government and the Palestinian Authority. Ministers also decided to examine the possibility of an EU contribution to ensure security and controls at the border between Syria and Lebanon in the context of Resolution 1701 of the Security Council.
Palestine. The 11 September announcement of an agreement of principle between the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas on the formation of a national unity government is a “glimmer of hope” for resuming the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and is “fully backed” by the European Union, Council President Erkki Tuomioja told the press. He also explained that President Abbas had given the EU his “assurance” that this government would abide by all the commitments taken in the past by the PLO, “which gives ground for expectations that the national unity government will also meet the Quartet criteria”. In addition to compliance with the existing agreements and commitments, the criteria set out by the Quartet for resuming contact with the Palestinian authorities stipulate that Israel's right to exist must be recognised and also that violence must cease. CFSP High Representative Javier Solana also stressed the importance of having a national unity government in Palestine so that the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks might once more become the focus of concern. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner was particularly pleased with the Council's decision to extend TIM until the end of the year and urged other donor countries to use the mechanism to support the Palestinian population. She also called on Israel to immediately resume transfer of tax revenue and customs duties due to the Palestinians.
Although everyone backs the principle of resuming contacts and providing European aid if a future national unity government meets the Quartet's requirements, (very tiny) differences exist within the Council on the speed with which this change of position should take place. The Finnish EU Presidency, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Spain are among those who wish to resume links with the government as soon as possible whereas countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom seem somewhat reticent.
Divergence is, however, even greater and more serious between the EU and the United States - both members of the Quartet. Washington has called on the EU to be “cautious” in its reflections on resuming links with the Palestinians, stressing the importance for the international community to remain “united” on this issue. Erkki Tuomioja is aware of these differences but trusts that the Quartet meeting next week in New York (on the fringe of the UN Assembly General) will bring “a common understanding among Quartet members”.
Lebanon. The Council restated its commitment to support implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and welcomed the efforts made by all parties concerned, especially the Lebanese army and the EU Member States. Ministers also welcomed the end of Israel's air and maritime blockade and called for the immediate release of the two Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon. On the basis of the document presented by Javier Solana, ministers held an exchange of views on the possibilities for supporting the Lebanese Army. The EU also restated its commitment to help the Lebanese government so that it may face up to humanitarian, environmental and reconstruction needs and problems. The Council has given the Finnish Presidency, Javier Solana and the European Commission a mandate to prepare a report on the EU's possible contribution to implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 on the Lebanon-Syria border.