EU Seeks Political Means to Revive Mideast Peace Process

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 10, 2002

EU Seeks Political Means to Revive Mideast Peace Process

European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Saturday prepared a document that considers political measures to reactivate the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Saturday prepared a document that considers political measures to reactivate the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Spanish Foreign Minister and pro tempore president of the EU Council, Josep Pique, announced the 15-nation bloc deems very important "that we go back to putting politics in the center of discussions on Middle East and we should not focus on security alone."

The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis was at the core of debates among the EU foreign ministers in the second and final day of their informal meeting at the Spanish town of Caceres.

The discussion developed on the basis of the document "EU's Perspective on the Middle East Peace Process," presented by the Spanish presidency. The document is a summary of proposals from France and Italy.

To these two initiatives, Germany on Saturday added another regarding the holding of a referendum in the Palestinian territories, which is aimed at ending the violence and legitimizing the Palestinian authorities.

The French proposal considers the establishment of the Palestinian State and mutual recognition of Palestine and Israel as the point of departure and not the end of the peace process. France also proposed the holding of elections in Palestine.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Malaysian FM Urges U.S. to Stop Violence in Middle East

FM Spokesman: Arafat's Authority Needed in Tense Middle East Situation

Bush: U.S. Will Remain Engaged in Mideast

>> Full Coverage