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EU Hails Mid-East Dynamics of Peace

EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, expressed optimism, over the prospects of Mid-east peace, following the reaffirmation of the Arab peace proposal, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saying that for the first time in decades a dynamics of peace has been created, which could lead to full peace in the region. Solana shared his optimism at a European Foreign Minister Conference in Bremen, Germany, where the foreign ministers decided to cooperate with the Palestinian President and Fatah ministers.
Europe is applauding the Arab peace proposal in hopes that it may pave the way of peace. The Arab League for the first time in many years has assumed the responsibility to be more active in the peace process," Solana said. "If you put that together with the reaction of (Israeli) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the two things ... are beginning to construct the dynamic that could lead to the settlement of a crisis that has been with us for many years."

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, invited the Palestinian Foreign Minister to Brussels, April 11th, to discuss ways in which the Palestinians could be assisted in planning a better future. Ferrero-Waldner said that although the EU is interested in assisting the Palestinians, it would be a mistke to think the EU is renewing its direct funding immediately. According to her the temporary Hammas bypassing funding mechanism will continue to be implemented. The EU is waiting for the upcoming quartet meeting, in hopes that this will accelerate the peace process. High-ranking European officials are planning to meet with Mid-east leaders. First of these is German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, which started her week with a 3-day trip to the region, with meetings scheduled in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.