The European Union's top diplomat vowed today that the EU would play a role in Middle East peacemaking "like it or not" despite Israel's rebuke for backing a UN resolution against its West Bank barrier.
The pledge by EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana followed talks yesterday in which Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned him there would be little chance of EU involvement in the peace process without a drastic change in the European position.
EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana
Rocky relations between Israel and the EU have hit a new low since the 25-nation bloc voted for a Palestinian-sponsored General Assembly resolution demanding that the Jewish state heed a World Court ruling calling on it to tear down the barrier.
Israel says it needs the network of razor-tipped wire and concrete walls to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers. Palestinians call it a land grab that will deny them the state they seek to establish on land captured by Israel in a 1967 war.
After failing to resolve the row in meetings with Israeli leaders, Solana wrapped up his visit telling reporters: "Europe ...is a very important international power and is going to play a role, (whether) you like it or not."
He said the EU had a right to participate because of its important interests in the region.
"The Palestinians cannot imagine a peace process without the full participation of the EU. Europe has contributed enormously since the beginning," Palestinian cabinet minister Mr Saeb Erekat said.