Leaders of seven European states pledge reactivate Middle East peace process
Regional-European Union, Politics, 11/6/2001

Leaders of seven European States have pledged to reactivate the Middle East peace process and bringing it back to track.

They also expressed their readiness to provide military support for the US in its campaign against international terrorism.

This came during a mini-European summit held in London and attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and Belgian Prime Minister Guy verhofstadt and EU security commissioner Javier Solana.

"Following the end of the mini European summit held at the British government premises, French President Jacques Chirac told a news conference that the summiteers was unanimous on the need for resuming negotiations as this is the only way to solve Middle East crisis. They also agreed that this should take place soon," he said.

President Chirac said European leaders asserted that the establishment of a Palestinian state respecting rights of freedoms and security of the state of Israel is very significant.

Chirac admitted that Middle East conflict creates a climate encouraging to international terrorism and creates a position suitable for Islamic fundamentalists especially AL Qaeda organization led by Osama Bin Laden.

The Dutch Prime Minister said debates underlined the need for Europeans and Americans, especially President George bush, should apply pressures on Israel and Palestinians to go ahead with resuming negotiations.

Chirac said leaders of the seven European states said it was important to draw up a political framework determining the plan of actions regarding the future of Afghanistan.

However, Chirac who left for the United States for talks with President George Bush said the seven leaders agreed that military action is not the only way to combat international terrorism but it was a must.

He said all were agreed on solidarity with Americans. Chirac called for reactivating efforts aimed at finding a political solution for the situation in Afghanistan.

On his part, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said European leaders have expressed support for military, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan adding all were unanimous on the need for reactivating peace process.

Meantime, the spokesman said Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have expressed their readiness to extend bigger support for the military campaign against Afghanistan.

Blair is due to brief bush on the results of his latest Middle East tour.

Previous Stories:
  Solana and peace in the ME   (10/27/2001)
  Solana starts on Monday a ME tour   (10/23/2001)
  OIC and EU support strong initiative to resume peace process in the Middle East   (10/13/2001)

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