Brussels, 01/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU and the International Quartet for the Middle East (of which the EU forms part, along with the USA, Russia and the UN) have called on the new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, who was sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday, to make a clear commitment to continuing the peace process, the aim being the “two-state solution”. “We expect the new government to make a commitment to the two-state solution (Ed: Israel and a Palestinian states co-existing in peace and security) in line with previous commitments,” said Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner after a meeting with Quartet envoy, Tony Blair in Brussels on Wednesday. Blair called on all parties to make 2009 a “year of progress”. Three main conditions had to be met for progress to be made in the peace process, he said: (1) the resumption of “credible” negotiations based on the two-state solution, which would, of course, require the Netanyahu government, which has hitherto ruled out such a solution, to review its position: “There is no alternative to the two-state solution,” Blair insisted; (2) a “programme of change” in the West Bank where Palestinians must be allowed to manage their territory themselves; (3) a different policy in Gaza where the people have to be helped and blockades lifted: “We cannot isolate Gaza. We need at the least to engage with the people and society of Gaza,” Blair said. If these three criteria are met, there will be a “different situation” that could bring progress towards an agreement. If they are not, the peace process could find itself in a “very, very difficult” situation, opined Blair. He believes that the next six months will be decisive. Ferrero-Waldner said she was “very concerned” that Israel had still not allowed border crossings into Gaza to be opened, preventing the free movement of international aid, including that from the EU. Israel has given undertakings to improve the situation, “but nearly none has been respected,” lamented the commissioner, “very disappointed” with the Israeli authorities. (H.B./transl.rt)