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Eu welcomed unofficial peace accord { December 3 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/12/03/international1300EST0572.DTLhttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/12/03/international1300EST0572.DTL
EU mixes new support with harsh words for Palestinian, Israeli hard-liners
ROBERT WIELAARD, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
©2003 Associated Press
(12-03) 10:00 PST NAPLES, Italy (AP) --
The European Union mixed new pledges of economic support for the Middle East Wednesday with harsh words for Palestinian militants and Israeli security policies.
The EU, ending a two-day meeting with the foreign ministers of Israel and its neighbors, welcomed an unofficial peace accord unveiled in Geneva on Monday. But it said Palestinian terrorism and hardline Israeli responses were dooming the peace process.
The EU also voiced "strong concerns" about the route marked out by Israel for a security fence it is building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The fence cuts into Palestinian areas at various locations.
"We pointed to the need for the security barrier not to invade Palestinian territory," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters.
Israel insists the wall bolsters the "road map" to peace plan by keeping Palestinian suicide bombers away from Jewish populations.
The EU statement also said the new Palestinian government under Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia must "concretely demonstrate its determination in the fight against extremist violence and consolidate all Palestinian security services."
At the same time, it cautioned Israel that the "sharply deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank and the Gaza" fuels terrorism.
The EU also announced initiatives to help narrow the Arab-Israeli divide, including joint educational projects and exchanges of experts, scientists, students and artists. The aim is to bring into the Mideast debate individuals untainted by entrenched political and religious convictions that lead to more conflict.
Diplomats said the West Bank wall sparked a "lively" dinner debate Tuesday with Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath calling it a "wall of apartheid." He urged the EU to impose sanctions to get Israel to tear it down.
At the same dinner, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom criticized the Geneva accord as the work of Israeli opposition figures bent on undermining Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's conservative government.
The EU clearly doesn't share that view. On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Dominique De Villepin said the accord, the product of two years of negotiations by self-appointed mediators, "shows dialogue is still possible between Israelis and Palestinians."
Also Wednesday, the EU announced initiatives to help narrow the Arab-Israeli divide, including joint educational projects and exchanges of experts, scientists, students and artists. The aim is to bring into the Mideast debate individuals untainted by entrenched political and religious convictions that lead to more conflict.
The EU offered special aid for nations improving their human rights and good governance records. It will also step up European Investment Bank lending for Mediterranean nations to stimulate private investments, though Germany resisted proposals to create a special bank for the region.
Since 1995, the EU has contributed more than $11.8 billion to Israel and its Arab neighbors for programs in support of U.S.-led peace efforts.
The meeting was attended by the 15 EU nations and Israel, Algeria, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta. Libya attended as an observer.
©2003 Associated Press
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