Brussels, 23/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to an anonymous European source in Cairo cited by press agencies, reactivation of the EuroMed process, which has been on hold since the invasion of Gaza, has once more been delayed. In Brussels, concordant European and Arab sources say this affirmation is premature, although it is not to be ruled out that the meeting of senior officials (ambassadors) scheduled for 7 April to trigger resumption of the work will be postponed. No formal announcement has yet come from the two co-presidents, namely Egypt and, until the end of June, France for the European side.
Initially, it had been thought the Arab group could be present within the Union for the Mediterranean from the holding of the Arab “summit” at the end of March in Doha. But the assumption that the formation of an Israeli government, in progress, would be part of the political movements openly hostile to the peace process seems to temper any enthusiasm for re-launching dialogue. The idea of an extraordinary ministerial conference in May is being looked at but “how can one imagine meeting with Avigdor Liberman” if he were to become foreign minister of Israel. Mr Liberman, the leader of the Israel Beitenou party, has on many occasions, without bandying his words, given his vision of a settlement to the conflict that is in total contradiction with the international consensus (two-state formula, mutual recognition, etc.)
It is considered, moreover, according to comments from direct players in the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, diplomats and officials, that the Palestinian question is only one of the aspects of the blocking factor. The need to clarify the objectives of the UfM seems to be felt but it is above all the cohesion of the Arab group - deemed to be defective - that would mainly prevent it from being up and running. The role of Egypt as a coordinator for the group is clearly contested. (F.B./transl.jl)