Brussels, 15/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - After the Paris summit on the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and many bilateral gatherings held on the sidelines of this meeting between the leaders of the region (EUROPE 9703), the French EU Presidency is “modestly optimistic” about the situation in the Middle East. The peace process may be rekindled and, possibly, carried through successfully, said Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minster, who is president-in-office of the General Affairs/External Relations Council. Speaking to the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, Mr Kouchner called for the EU to hold a more important place in the Israeli-Arab peace process, and in conflict zones in the world in general. “The European Union must have a place in all peace processes. We are not just a Union that is there to finance” projects of reconciliation and socio-economic development, but also a Union that wants a political role to play, he told MEPs. “The Union must find its place” in the Middle East crisis and in the other international crises. “The world awaits us”, the French minister said. He suggested that the EU should present in coming months a European roadmap setting out ways to resolve the major crises in the world, mainly in the Middle East. The upcoming change in the US Administration is a particularly auspicious time for redefining and reaffirming European positions on such matters, Mr Kouchner said.
The next change at the White House will also provide an opportunity for suggesting to the Americans “a new form of partnership that takes the real weight of the European Union more into account”, Mr Kouchner asserted. Russia, too, must remain a privileged partner of the EU. “There can be no common foreign and security policy without good relations with Russia. Russia is a neighbour that is part of the EU's future”, the French minister pointed out. “The EU should change its language towards Russia, even if Russia sometimes uses a language that is not always to our liking”, he added. (H.B./transl.jl)