Arab FMs conclude Beirut and head to Palermo
Regional, Politics, 6/3/1998

Foreign ministers of Mediterranean Arab countries wound up their coordination meeting held in Beirut on Tuesday to discuss preparations of the meeting of the European-Mediterranean states due in Palermo, Italy today.

The ministers agreed that Syria will chair the forthcoming coordination meeting due in Damascus before the convocation of the European - Mediterranean partnership conference scheduled in Stuttgart, Germany next year.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz said that the participants in the Beirut meeting agreed to designate Lebanon as head of Arab coordination until the Damascus meeting convenes.

In a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz said talks centered on all issues set for discussion in the European-Arab dialogue conference. Participants in the meeting, Boueiz said, stressed the Arab commitment to a just and comprehensive peace based on Madrid principles, and held Israel responsible for the deadlock in the Middle East peace process. The Lebanese FM reiterated that the Arab ministers adhere to the originally agreed-upon basic peace components without any deviation or modification.

On economy, Boueiz said that a special importance was attached to achieving a parity in economic ties between Europe and Mediterranean - Arab states.

Regarding security and stability, the Lebanese minister said the document pinpointed by Arab ministers of the interior during their Tunis meeting is the grounds for Euro-Arab dialogue.

Boueiz added: "No one can ignore Europe's role, which must be complete and constructive in the peace process."

Abdul Meguid said the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in Beirut is a positive step towards cooperation and coordination with the European - Mediterranean states. He expressed appreciation for Europe's attitudes towards issues set for discussion.

Previously, some of the members of the 15 European countries expressed concern about too much focus by the Arab states on the Israeli - Palestinian - Syrian - Lebanese peace issues to the detriment of other economic and security issues. But the Arab states had expressed the great importance of dealing with this issue as an obstacle to the region that must be dealt with. AL Secretary-General Meguid expressed hope for resuming the peace process, stressing the Arab desire to realize peace based on justice and comprehensiveness.

Meguid held Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu responsible for violating basic peace principles and for blocking the process which has reached a grave dilemma. Later in the day, the Arab ministers left Beirut for Rome on board a special plane sent by the Italian government.

Previous Stories:
  Mediterranean MPs meet in Palermo   (6/2/1998)
  European-Mediterranean meeting in Beirut June 2-3   (5/25/1998)
  Arab, European Mediterranean ministers discuss terrorism   (5/19/1998)

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