Al-Sharaa, Moratinos discuss Middle East peace process developments
Syria-Israel-European Union, Politics, 12/30/1999

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Damascus received the European Union special envoy to the Middle East peace process, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and members of the accompanying delegation.

Talk dealt with latest developments concerning the Middle East peace process and the role played by the EU in backing it.

In statements he made following his meeting with al-Sharaa, Moratinos described his talks with al-Sharaa as very good. He added that he was briefed on the outcome of the first round of Syrian-Israeli negotiations and preparations for the second round due to be held in Washington on Monday, January 3, 2000.

The EU envoy expressed cautious optimism and the existence of the will to reach satisfactory results.

He asserted the EU's preparedness to help realize good results in the negotiations, saying there must be a certain mechanism enabling the EU to be a partner in the talks so that outcomes will be positive. He stated, "We will be in unceasing contacts to work for the continuation of the negotiations."

Answering a question on whether the EU asked to participate in the talks, Moratinos said he had asked for a partnership not for participation. "We have told partners including the US and Israel, about partnership, and all parties have demonstrated interest with no difficulty to the effect that the EU should be a part in talks since we offered much to push the peace process forward."

Replying to a question connected with Israel pulling back to the pre-1967 border lines, Moratinos said, "It is clear that the resumption of negotiations was based on starting from the point where the Middle East peace process was left off."

Previous Stories:
  EU role comes after maintaining a peace agreement between Syria and Israel   (12/28/1999)
  Report: Elements of a Syrian - Israeli peace   (12/22/1999)
  No Syrian-Israeli negotiations have taken place, Bishara says   (7/1/1999)

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