Vol. 544 No. 3
206 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the European Union should take a more proactive role in seeking a resolution to the Middle East problem; and if he will urge that a joint United States-European Union initiative be put in place under United Nations auspices. [29028/01]
The European Union and its member states play an important role in the search for a solution to the Middle East situation. Representatives of the Union and the member states have regular contacts at all levels with the key players in the region. Only this weekend the President of the Council, Prime Minister Verhofstadt of Belgium, accompanied by Foreign Minister Michel, Commission President Prodi and High Representative Solana, made a tour of the region and held talks with the leaders of Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Lebanon. The special envoy of the EU for the Middle East peace process, Ambassador Moratinos, who has just been re-appointed for a further year, is in constant contact with the parties and regularly present in the region.
The Europe-Mediterranean Partnership established under the Barcelona Process is also an important expression of the European Union's commitment to the region. This brings the EU together with the 12 states of the southern Mediterranean and fosters co-operation in the fields of political co-operation, economic development, justice and home affairs and social development. The most recent ministerial meeting of this group, which I attended, took place in Brussels on 5 and 6 November.
The international community is currently engaged in an initiative to secure the implementation of the measures set out in Senator Mitchell's report of 30 April. This initiative is supported by the European Union, the United States, the United Nations and Russia whose current shared position was set out in the statement issued by their four envoys on 25 October. This statement called for an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Area A and immediate implementation of the Mitchell Report and the Tenet plan leading to a resumption of the political process in order to address the fundamental issues between the two parties. These steps are essential to progress on a final settlement. I understand the envoys of the EU, the UN, the United States and Russia will continue to co-operate and co-ordinate their efforts in the region to bring the parties to negotiations.
