John Perry
Ceist:52 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he and his EU colleagues are taking to advance the Middle East peace process. [25473/99]
Vol. 512 No. 2
52 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he and his EU colleagues are taking to advance the Middle East peace process. [25473/99]
I am availing of all appropriate opportunities, both in bilateral contacts and in multilateral discussions, including in the European Union, to encourage the Middle East peace process.
The agreement signed at Sharm-el-Sheik on 4 September reflected the commitment of the new Israeli Government to move forward with negotiations on all outstanding issues. In bilateral meetings which I had with a number of Foreign Ministers in New York attending the UN General Assembly in late September, I stressed the full support of the Government for this process.
I have also supported fully the involvement of the European Union. The Union affords political and economic support for a negotiated settlement in the Middle East, to reflect the principle of "land for peace" and to ensure the security, both collective and individual, of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. It does so on the political level through the work of its special envoy, its meetings with leaders of the various parties involved in the peace process, and its activities in relevant international organisations, in particular the United Nations.