Important Mideast declaration signed at Tampere EU conference

EU states, as well as Arabs and Israel approve text

Erkki Tuomioja

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The European Union and Mediterranean countries reached agreement in Tampere on Tuesday on a joint declaration on a number of issues, including the Middle East peace process.
      The statement confirms that the partners are committed to a just, comprehensive, and sustainable solution in the conflict between Israel and the Arabs.
      The text was accepted unanimously, although Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said that lengthy discussion was needed first.
      In addition to the EU countries, signatories included Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Signing on behalf of the Palestinians was former cabinet minister Nabil Shaath, who is a close advisor of President Mahmoud Abbas. The declaration was approved at the end of the two-day Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (EUROMED).
     
The text on the Middle East was fairly general in its language. Foreign Minister Tuomioja said that it is not intended to substitute any other initiatives and actions that have been taken on behalf of peace. "It nevertheless offers us important political framework for 35 states", Tuomioja noted at the end of the meeting on Tuesday.
      He praised the discussions held on the Middle East, which began at Monday evening’s working dinner, as "very good and constructive", although they were also time-consuming.
     
Israel and the Palestinians began a cease fire in Gaza on Sunday. In the statements issued in Tampere, the ministers called for revitalised efforts to promote the peace process in the whole Middle East.
      Both Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mussa and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem of Israel’s arch-enemy Syria, expressed their support for recent developments. "We hope that the cease fire will be achieved also for the West Bank", Moualem said.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Tampere EU meeting sees Gaza truce as start for peace process (28.11.2006)

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