STRASBOURG, July 6, 2011(WAFA)- Catherine Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said Wednesday that the changes in the surrounding neighborhood, the speech of US President Barak Obama in May, the moves towards Palestinian reconciliation, the approaching UN General Assembly, bring a renewed focus on the possibility of Israeli-Palestinian talks and a solution for the conflict.
In a Speech on North Africa and the Arab world at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ashton who is also the Vice President of the European Commission, said concerning the search for peace in the Middle East, between Israel and Palestine, that the UN, the US and Russia responded to her letter requesting a Quartet meeting in Washington next Monday. “Since then, the envoys have met intensively and also, for the first time, with negotiators from both sides.”
“This will build on the Quartet meeting I chaired in Munich earlier this year,” she said
She said, “I have worked tirelessly for this possibility of resuming talks, working closely with President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad and Prime Minister Netanyahu and with many others in the region; and with our Quartet partners and with the Arab States to look for a strong and ambitious way forward, in which the EU plays the leading role this Parliament wishes us to.”
She added, “I do not underestimate the challenge, but my objective is clear; to try and adopt a statement next week that will help the Israelis and Palestinians to bridge the gap, and allow for a return to the negotiating table.”
She said, “Many are looking to September and the prospect of a resolution. We don't yet know what that might say, and what reaction it might bring.”
“But I am clear that my energies should focus on trying to use this time to get the talks moving and, on that, the EU is united. We have a strong position from the Council Conclusions and a united position,” she said.
She said, “I understand very well the concerns for the people of Gaza, having visited twice and seen for myself the situation.”
She added, “I stress the need to get the crossings open, to provide what people need, and to ensure the security that Israel needs.”
She said, “It is there that our energy should lie, and I am encouraged by meetings this week on the ground, but there is much more to do.”
She thanked Greece for its offer to route humanitarian aid to Gaza, in coordination with the UN.
F.R.
