EU FOREIGN policy chief Catherine Ashton has said planned “proximity” talks between Israel and the Palestinians should lead “within two years” to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
As the US makes renewed efforts to facilitate the resumption of talks under the chairmanship of former senator George Mitchell, the baroness told reporters in Brussels that the indirect engagement between both sides must lead to “meaningful” negotiations.
“We want results and genuine commitment, a process that leads to outcomes,” she said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
“We also need immediately changes on the ground. We want to protect and sustain the sense of momentum in what are clearly very difficult circumstances. We believe that negotiations should within two years bring about settlement that will result in an independent democratic viable state of Palestine that lives side by side in peace and security with Israel and other neighbours.”
US president Barack Obama meets Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today in an effort to ease tension prompted by Israel’s announcement of a new settlement-building programme during a visit by US vice-president Joe Biden earlier this month. That announcement was heavily criticised given the sensitivity of the political situation in the run-up to the talks. It was followed by Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.
The EU ministers were briefed at their monthly meeting by former British prime minister Tony Blair, special envoy of Middle East “Quartet” group compromising the US, Russia, the EU and the United Nations.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Blair expressed the view the Israeli government was prepared to ultimately enter direct talks with the Palestinians: “I believe the will is there on the part of the Israeli government to get into direct negotiations.” It was first necessary, however, to build confidence the talks would be constructive.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said there was “broad agreement” on the need for proximity talks to commence.
“There clearly is momentum building in the international community around Gaza and certainly as a significant confidence-building measure, the opening-up of the blockade and the facilitation of resources and material to build significant construction in Gaza would be a very significant confidence-building measure.”
Given the US lead in the process, Mr Martin said the EU will concentrate on fostering the rule of law, Palestinian governance capacity, economic development and “ensuring Israel takes steps to improve the lot of ordinary Palestinians working on the ground”. As Ms Ashton said talks on the new European External Action Service (EAS) were nearing the endgame, Mr Martin said “convergence” was emerging among member states on the structure of the EU’s diplomatic corp. The EAS may be restricted to 1,000 members initially to facilitate an orderly establishment of the new service, he said.
The Government will increase its €3 million allocation to earthquake-struck Haiti at a special donor conference in New York next week, he said.