Foreign Minister Tuomioja says Israel now understands importance of EU role

"No need to look for specific Finnish contribution to Lebanon cease fire"

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Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja says, that now it is also Israel's view that the European Union is needed for the achievement of peace in the Middle East. Commenting the cease fire in Lebanon, he said, that it would be pointless to look for a specific Finnish contribution in the United Nations resolution which led to Monday’s cease fire.
      As the holder of the Presidency of the European Union, Finland found itself in the midst of intense international negotiations when the latest fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia broke out.
      Tuomioja has written down observations of his travel to different countries over the issue. In his weblog, he says that it would be pointless to look for a specific Finnish contribution in the United Nations resolution which led to Monday’s cease fire.
      "What is significant is that the European Union took a common stand on the matter, and that the UN resolution largely corresponds to views approved by the EU." Tuomioja observes.
      "Previously, the EU has not been wanted there. Especially Israel has taken a negative view. Now it is also Israel's view that the EU is needed for the achievement of peace", Tuomioja notes.
     
In addition to travel by Tuomioja and other Finnish ministers, Finland has received visits from national leaders, including the Foreign Minister and King of Jordan last week. Tuomioja sees the visits as part of laying the groundwork for upcoming negotiations.
      "The next goal is to get back to the peace process of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In that process, neighbouring countries are also important parties."
     
Researcher Tapani Vaahtoranta at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs feels that Finland did well in the international negotiations.
      "The EU foreign ministers’ meeting held in Brussels a couple of weeks ago was especially important. Agreement was reached, even though there was talk about the EU being in crisis. Finland’s diplomatic skills did play an important role in that."
      Vaahtoranta notes that there was a situation during the war in Iraq in which "the EU was bitterly split in two". He believes that there is more willingness for humble discussions both within the EU, and between Europe and the United States.
     
Tuomioja sees Finland’s role in the Middle East mainly as that of one EU country among the others. However, he also emphasises Finland’s experience in peacekeeping operations, and its good relations with many of the interested parties in the area. In his view, neutrality is a trump card for the EU.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  It´s Finland´s war too (6.8.2006)
  President Halonen on al-Jazeera: Outside intervention no solution to Mideast crisis (3.8.2006)
  EU ministers approve watered-down demand for Lebanon ceasefire (2.8.2006)
  Tuomioja: EU countries prepare for Lebanon peacekeeping force (1.8.2006)

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