Finian McGrath
Question:156 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will work closely with the Palestinian people in developing their peace process. [33810/04]
View answerWednesday, 15 December 2004
Questions (149)
Written answers
The Government, both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union and the United Nations, will continue its efforts to encourage progress in the Middle East peace process. The EU has constantly stated its readiness to assist the Palestinian Authority financially, technically and politically. At the UN, Ireland and the EU have repeatedly reaffirmed their support for efforts to resolve the conflict. At the European Council on 5 November, which I attended with the Taoiseach, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the two-state solution as laid out in the quartet road map and stated its objective of relaunching a meaningful political process of negotiations.
In particular, the Government strongly supports the Council's decision to endorse a short-term programme of action in the fields of security, reforms, elections and the economy which was proposed by High Representative Solana, and the Council's invitation to the High Representative to conduct consultations with the parties and the quartet on how these political objectives can be realised, with a view to placing these proposals within a broader political perspective.