Moussa backs sending international force to Palestinian areas
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa voiced Egypt's support of sending an international observer force to the Palestinian territories, by way of protecting the Palestinians from Israel's aggression and excessive use of force.
This came at a joint press conference Moussa held following his talks Thursday with his Belgian counterpart Louis Michel.
Moussa said that his talks with Michel tackled the current conditions in the region, with emphasis on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and prospects for settling the problem.
In light of Brussels' preparations to take over the Presidency of the European Union, we have discussed what Belgium could do in this respect, Moussa said, adding that Egypt would continue contacts with Brussels in the coming weeks on Middle East and European issues of concern to both countries.
Moussa did not believe that the European role in the Middle East peace process was slack, as exaggeratedly described, pointing out to European efforts to activate the process, despite Arab criticisms.
Moussa said that the Arab side is urging the EU to adopt firm stances vis-a-vis Israeli settlements and occupation of Arab lands and also regarding the protection of Palestinians.
"The Arab side hopes Europe will make effective moves as part of a role commensurate with peace requirements," he added.
On whether contacts between Egypt and the Israeli government were under way, Moussa said that some were afoot of the situation in the occupied territories, the excessive use of force and means to activate the peace process.
This is in addition to joint Egyptian-Jordanian efforts, Moussa said, adding that Cairo and Amman had not received yet any reply from Tel Aviv on proposals they made in this regard.
"Consequently the situation remains very grave," Moussa said. He called on the international community to provide protection for the Palestinians in light of the absence of a proper response to deal with the situation.
Moussa attacked the shift in Israeli policy from talking peace to a bellicose rhetoric and escalation of violence.
He pointed out to the contradiction in Israeli policies, saving that while Israel was demanding a halt to violence and any Palestinian resistance, the Jewish state insisted on the use of force.
The Belgian Foreign Minister termed his talks with Moussa as frank, and said they exchanged information on the very difficult situation in the Middle East peace process.
Louis Michel said that Egypt and Belgium shared the view on the necessity that the EU gives the Middle East problem more attention, along with the ensuing humanitarian and moral problems.
Europe, according to Michel, is concerned with the Middle East conflict from a security perspective. "The European financial support has contributed to the regional peace drive," he said.
Michel, conceding that the EU, in tandem with the international community, could still exert more efforts, voiced belief, however, that the greater burden in making advances in the regional peace process fell on the shoulders of the parties directly concerned.
"When Belgium assumes the EU Presidency in July it will focus on establishing a confidence relationship with all parties without exception,'' Michel said.
"This would not prevent us from condemning any action that could lead to deterioration in the situation and the flare-up of violence," he added.
The Belgian top diplomat said that his country supported a recent EU statement on Israel's attacks against Syria and Lebanon.
Michel said Moussa briefed him on the Egyptian-Jordanian ideas on defusing regional tension, adding that he would raise these ideas with officials of the countries he planned to visit as part of his current tour of the region.
On the Iraqi question, Michel said that he discussed the issue with Moussa, and voiced belief that the US stance on Iraq had undergone noted development.
On Egyptian-European relations, Michel expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Euro-Egyptian partnership agreement in the near future.