PES calls on EU to support Abbas' Unity Government
14 September 2006
The Party of European Socialists today pledged to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to do all it can to get European Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow to support the moves to set up a unity government in Palestine.
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES, and Jean Asselborn, coordinator of the PES Foreign Ministers Network were in Ramallah today to meet Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian leaders.
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Everyone I have spoken to in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon agree that while people are licking their wounds after the terrible conflict in Lebanon the window is open for peace. But we have to move fast to use that opportunity. I strongly believe that a unity government is best route to restart negotiations between the Government of Israel and the people of Palestine.”
“The European Union must use its new commitment to the Middle East to give its strong support to a unity government. This unity government must be based on strong commitment for security, for stopping the violence internally and externally, not least towards Israel. Release of prisoners on both sides is a prerequisite for giving the political talks a real future. A defacto recognition of Israel by the unity government seems to be within range.”
“All in all now is the crucial moment for the EU to back this process and thereby sending a clear signal the to United States and to Israel.. In every crucial situation there will always be some spoilers – it is time to look forward now and take leadership, the EU can make the first decisive move on this issue, let’s continue the constructive line we so successfully started in Lebanon.”.”
Jean Asselborn said “Tomorrow I will call my colleagues in the European Foreign Ministers Council to support the ongoing efforts of President Abbas to form a unity government. It is in the interests of everyone – Israel, Palestinians and the international community – to restart talks between Israel and the people of Palestine.”
More - Julian Scola, Press Officer, mobile +32 486 688 134
