Blair: Britain will play a constructive role in the Middle East peace process
Israel-UK, Politics, 7/22/1999

British Prime Minister Tony Blair asserted yesterday in London that Britain will play a constructive role in the Middle East peace process and will provide necessary support and backing to achieve durable peace in the region.

In a press conference he held with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Blair added, "(The) Peace we want to be achieved in the Middle East region should be comprehensive and fair, because Britain has realized the efforts exerted to reach this objective, and we want these efforts to succeed not only for the Middle East region but also for the world as a whole."

Replying to a question on whether it is necessary to have a certain formula to resume Syrian Israeli negotiations, Blair said the availability of a great chances and proper conditions and the election of a new government in Israel are all matters that avail attaining progress forward.

For his part, Barak said he came to London to meet with an international partner in Middle East peace, as he shares with Blair several views on the situation in the Middle East.

Barak added that he discussed with Blair the need to seize the chance to put an end to a conflict which lasted for 100 years in the Middle East. Barak proceeded that Britain can play a remarkable role within the framework of the European Union in support of the peace process. He added that Europe can create an atmosphere of backing for Israel and the Arabs and for finding a proper atmosphere for progress and development, including financial and political backing for the peace process and the peace efforts.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak arrived in London to brief the British prime minister on the results of his talks with US President Bill Clinton and several Arab leaders.

Blair and Barak held talks following Barak's arrival in London on his way back to Israel from a visit to the US.

A spokesman for the British government said Blair and Barak discussed peace prospects in the Middle East especially on the Syrian track on the light of positive developments. The spokesman added that Barak had explained to his British counterpart his strategy for peace and the content of his talks with US President Bill Clinton in Washington.

Previous Stories:
  Report: Settlement lines on the Syrian - Israeli track   (7/21/1999)
  Barak: Israel will honor its signed commitments, focus on the future   (7/20/1999)
  Clinton - Barak full joint statement on the peace issue   (7/20/1999)
  Talks between Barak and King Abdullah   (7/15/1999)
  Report: President al-Assad refuses Barak's appeal   (7/14/1999)

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