Brussels, 29/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 28 January in Brussels, the political and security committee at the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) met under the chairmanship of Tokia Saifi (EPP/ED, France). The committee expressed very serious concerns about the situation in the Middle East and Gaza. This theme dominated this joint structure's session agenda and sharp exchanges were made between the Israeli vice prime minister, Majalli Whbee, a member of the Knesset and vice president of the EMPA committee, and Abdellah Abdellah, the president of the political committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council and Zuhari Sanduqa a Palestinian MP. Several other members of the Parliamentary Committee, MEPs, European and national parliamentarians, as well as those from partner countries spoke about the risk of reaching a situation of no return. Other speakers highlighted Israeli practices, while others spoke of the need to contain action by Hamas. Almost all agreed on the need to stress humanitarian concerns in Gaza. This debate ended with the adoption of a declaration reflecting the different points of view but also accused Israel of being responsible for the sharply worsening situation in the Gaza Strip. All of the deputies present said that the destruction of the wall was the consequence of a serious humanitarian crisis among Palestinians who are calling for freedom. They paid notable homage to Egypt and indicated that in their eyes, the isolation policy practised by Israel had led to failure. The EU was invited to take action with Palestine, Israel and Egypt to maintain relative freedom of movement. In their declaration they called for the immediate lifting of the blockade.
Before the debates, the Slovenian ambassador for the Barcelona process, Veronika Stabej, outlined the presidency's work programme and highlighted the Euro-Mediterranean university project her country intended to inaugurate next June. (F.B.)