Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Financial Aid to Israel.

Ray Burke

Ceist:

127 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's and the EU's position on the continuation of EU financial aid to Israel, in view of the joint statement made on behalf of all EU member states which strongly criticised the Israeli Government for disrupting the Middle East peace process. [18336/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The declaration adopted by the General Affairs Council on 1-2 October 1996 set out the position of the Union at this critical juncture in the peace process. It called on both sides to exercise restraint and specified those areas where it believes that progress is crucial to the peace process. The declaration also makes clear that the Union's close relations with states in the region, as embodied in the Euro-Mediterranean Association agreements, are based on a common commitment to the peace process. In that context, the Union called on Israel to give clear practical demonstration of its confirmed intention to implement fully the agreements already reached with the PLO.

I reiterated that position, and stressed the importance that the Union attaches to the revitalisation of the peace process, during my recent visit to the region on 6 October. It is my sincere hope that the talks currently under way between Israel and the Palestinians will make progress and thus help restore the momentum to the peace process on the basis of the principles of Madrid and the terms of the Declaration of Principles. The Union has close relations with Israel based on economic, historical, geographical and cultural ties. Israel has consistently indicated that it appreciates the efforts of the EU to support the peace process, particularly in its role as the largest donor of aid of the Palestinian people. As part of these ongoing, constructive and balanced efforts, the Union will continue to maintain its close relations with Israel with the aim of supporting the Middle East peace process.