Vol. 577 No. 1
24 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the statement attributed to Israeli officials suggesting that Israel expects relations with the EU to be less cosy when Ireland takes over the EU Presidency; if he is considering an initiative as President of the Council of Foreign Ministers to restore peace in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30482/03]
35 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Silver Shalom, in Brussels on 18 November 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30481/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 35 together.
I am not aware that any official Israeli spokesman has suggested that relations with the European Union would deteriorate under the Irish Presidency. Relations between Ireland and Israel are well established and friendly and I would expect that, during our Presidency, we should have the opportunity to build on those relations. In the European Union's dealings with other states, the role of the Presidency is to present the positions of the Union on the basis of agreed positions acceptable to all its member states.
During our Presidency Ireland will work within the international quartet to advance the roadmap and achieve a two state solution. The road map contains all the elements, which must form part of any comprehensive settlement.
I met my Israeli counterpart in Brussels on 18 November, in the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, and discussed with him the Irish approach to the Middle East conflict during our Presidency. I assured him that we would play an active role as the representative of the European Union in the international quartet. In addition, we had an exchange of views on other issues, including the question of Ireland sponsoring a resolution condemning anti-semitism at the current session of the United Nations in New York.
