Phil Hogan
Question:17 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent developments in the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14871/03]
Written Answers. - Middle East Peace Process.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:43 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact his Department has had with the Presidency of the European Council concerning the roadmap for peace in the Middle East published by the United States Government on 30 April 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/03]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:68 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consequences of the roadmap for peace in the Middle East being seen not as the initiative of the Quartet, but of one party, the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14763/03]
Michael D. Higgins
Question:94 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he is making to ensure a more active role of all of the members of the quartet in relation to advancing the roadmap for peace in the Middle East; his views on the fact that Israel regards the proposals known as the roadmap as open to amendment; the implications for the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 43, 68 and 94, together.
As I stated in response to a question in the House yesterday, the road map for peace was the work of the Quartet of the European Union, Russia, the United States and the Secretary General of the United Nations. It was presented to the parties on 30 April and has now been accepted by both the Palestinian and Israeli cabinet as the basis for a settlement. The presentation of the road map was marked by a statement of the current Greek Presidency of the European Union, which welcomed the development and reiterated the well-known position of the Union. The road map and its implementation have been the subject of discussions by European Union Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 19 May. The Council adopted conclusions reaffirming the commitment of the Union to the peace process and the implementation of the road map. The road map was also discussed at the conference of foreign ministers of the Euro-Mediterranean states in the framework of the Barcelona Process, which took place in Crete earlier this week. Israeli and Palestinian Ministers attended this conference and were made aware of our expectations for progress on the road map.
I would not accept that the road map is seen by the parties as the initiative of just one party. That may be how some like to present it to various constituencies, but I think that they are conscious of the reality that this initiative represents the consensus of the international community.
All members of the Quartet are active in its implementation. Envoys of the Quartet have met twice during May to discuss the modalities for implementation and the resources necessary. A meeting at Ministerial level will almost certainly take place at Evian in France in the margins of the G8 Summit meeting on 3 June.
The situation in the Middle East continues at the same time to be a matter of serious concern. The level of violence on both sides is frightening and willingness to engage for peace often seems subject to the latest atrocity. However, both sides have now accepted the Quartet road map, the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers have met and agreed to continue to meet, the Syrian and Lebanese governments have indicated their interest in renewed peace talks and there is welcome evidence of greater engagement by the United States in the process. This may be the decisive period for the peace process and both Ireland and our European partners will continue to support the efforts of the parties, the Quartet and the regional actors.
Question No. 18 answered with Question No. 13.