Written Answers. - Middle East Peace Talks.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:
76
Mr. Hogan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will outline his attitude to the present Middle East peace talks; if he will indicate the role which the European Community will be playing during the course of these important talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:
109
Mr. Sherlock
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will outline the Government's position on the Middle East peace conference, currently under way in Madrid; if he will confirm that it is the position of the Irish Government that the Palestine Liberation Organisation, as the central representative organisation of the Palestinian people, must have a central role to play in any permanent solution to the problems of the area, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I will take Questions Nos. 76 and 109 together.
I greatly welcome the Middle East peace talks which opened in Madrid on 30 October and would like to pay tribute to the painstaking efforts to convene these talks which were undertaken by the United States and in particular by the Secretary of State, James Baker.
The European Community has been strongly supportive of the initiative undertaken by Mr. Baker.
There are three phases to the Middle East Peace Process: firstly, the opening Conference which took place in Madrid from 30 October to 1 November 1991; secondly, bilateral negotiations between the Israeli and Arab delegations, which have already commenced; and thirdly, multilateral negotiations involving all the participants, including the EC, which are expected to begin shortly.
The Peace Conference is co-sponsored by the USA and the USSR. It has been agreed with the parties to the Conference that the EC is to participate alongside the co-sponsors of the Conference.
At the opening of the Conference on 30 October, the Netherlands Foreign Minister, Mr. Hans Van den Broek, spoke on behalf of the European Community and the Twelve member states and the text of his address has been placed in the Dáil Library.
The EC will be working closely with the parties to the bilateral talks to ensure progress towards a settlement based on the right of all states in the region, including Israel, to live within secure and recognised boundaries and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The EC intends to make an active practical contribution to the multilateral negotiations, which are likely to address such issues as regional economic co-operation, arms control, the problem of refugees, water resources, environmental protection and energy needs.
The Palestinian delegation to the Peace Conference is broadly representative of the Palestinian people and is acceptable to the Palestinine Liberation Organisation. I am satisifed that the Palestinian representatives will play a central role in these vital negotiations which will, I hope, lead to a just and permanent solution to the historic problem of the Middle East.
