Brussels, 23/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The representative of the International Quartet on the Middle East, Tony Blair, exhorted the European Union to get more involved in the Israeli-Arab peace process and play a greater political role to help find a “two-state solution” by the end of the year, if possible. Mr Blair was addressing EU foreign affairs ministers meeting up for their “External Relations Council” (EUROPE 9708) on Tuesday 22 July. Blair highlighted the “crucial role” that the EU can and should play to help push forward peace talks through the good contacts it is developing with both the Palestinians and Israel. At the end of the discussion with ministers, Mr Blair announced to the press that, “the EU has a far stronger position to play than in the past, not only in the economic and social field, but also as regards security capabilities and on politics”. Mr Blair welcomed the both the launch of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Paris summit on 13 July as having been “very useful” because they helped bring all the regional players who are decisive in the peace process together around the same table.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign affairs minister chairing the Council backed up Mr Blair's ideas, affirming, “In this transition period between two US administrations, Europe needs to play a greater role and not just an economic role” but a political role too, affirmed Kouchner at the end of the Council. He also asserted that, “we will be sticking to it…we want to be more efficient in our support for Palestinians and Israelis”. The subject will be at the centre of the informal “Gymnich” meeting the EU27 foreign affairs ministers will be holding on 5/6 September in Avignon.
On Tuesday Mr Blair also said that an agreement on a two-state solution was still possible before the end of the year. Mr Blair said that, “to have a Palestinian state by the end of the year is a big challenge but I know that my contacts with the Israeli prime minister Olmert and US administration that they are determined to try”. The former British prime minister insisted that before Hamas could play a role in the process it had to accept Israel's right to exist. (H.B./trans/rh)