Brussels, 04/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The second conference on the challenges and prospects in the Middle East organised by the Party of European Socialists (PES) was held at the European Parliament on Thursday 3 July. Its aim was to “make dialogue possible”, said Martin Schulz (PES, Germany), who leads the Socialist Group, pointing out that “peace is not possible unless everyone speaks to everyone else”. Like Javier Solana, High Representative for CFSP, who stressed it was necessary to discuss matters and try to find solutions, participants displayed their determination to reach a consensus during the two round tables. “We have a role to play here: to bring hope, the hope that we shall be able to galvanise ourselves and our neighbours into action”, stressed Ami Ayalon, a minister without portfolio and member of the cabinet of the prime minister of the Israeli government, who called for “diplomacy and clarity”.
The fight against terrorism has appeared as a necessary condition but not sufficient for resolving the problems of the Middle East. “We can only work for peace by condemning terrorism”, said Amhed Soboh, Deputy Foreign Minister for the Palestinian Authority, who added in response to Mr Ayalon: “it is unjust to impose negotiation upon us with bulldozers”. According to Eneko Landaburu, Director General DG RELEX at the European Commission, the ceasefire must now be consolidated, bilateral and multilateral initiatives of the region must be supported, and Mr Abbas must be supported in Palestinian reconciliation. The position of the Hezbollah is seen as problematical, not only in Lebanon for upcoming elections, but also in Israel and in Palestine where relations with the Fatah are still difficult. The positions of Syria and Iran were also discussed, and participants showed they were in favour of appointing an EU representative for dialogue between Syria and Israel. “All central points were tackled, and I do not think it is useful to extend deadlines”, said Maria Al Kayal, who is a researcher at the Orient Centre for International Studies, Damascus, a sign of the hope given by the Annapolis process. Paradoxically, this has also caused certain fears, mainly due to the isolation of some players of the region: “Without political dialogue with Iran, there will be no solution in the region”, said Semen Bagdasarov, Russian parliamentary (Social Democrat party). “Making peace means including, incorporating, not excluding or marginalising”, one participant concluded. (A.D./transl.jl)