Jim O'Keeffe
Question:87 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals directly, or through the European Union, to assist the re-establishment of the peace process in the Middle East. [6946/02]
Vol. 549 No. 4
87 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals directly, or through the European Union, to assist the re-establishment of the peace process in the Middle East. [6946/02]
The situation in the Middle East is a matter of grave concern to Ireland and our European Union partners. As I said to the press on 19 February, "Both sides know what needs to be done. They should take the necessary steps immediately and pursue security and political steps in parallel. No other solution is possible." This is even more the case today in the light of the further killings which have occurred over the past week.
Ireland has constantly urged the parties to resume negotiations towards a final settlement. The Mitchell Committee report and the Tenet ceasefire plan offer the best available means to get such negotiations underway. This is also the view of our European Union partners. Yesterday a debate took place in the Security Council of the UN on the situation in the Middle East. A draft resolution was tabled for the consideration of the Council. It contains a number of new elements including recognising that a Palestinian state must live beside Israel and that normal relations should be established between Israel and all its neighbours. Ireland's representatives in New York will work to achieve the widest possible support for this draft resolution in the Council.