Spain to exert efforts to promote European stance vis a vis Mideast Peace-Ambassador

Egypt's Ambassador to Spain Hussein Haridi Tuesday voiced belief that Spain will exert efforts over the coming six months to promote the European stance vis-a-vis the Mideast peace process.

Interviewed by Radio Cairo fromm Madrid, the Egyptian diplomat said Spain will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union as of Tuesday and will exert efforts to restore the spirit of Madrid peace conference of October 1991.

As for Spain's stance, Haridi said the government of Madrid called on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to ceasefire and return to the table of negotiations and implement the Mitchel -recommendations and Tenet's plan.

Regarding the EU's stance vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue and adding Hamas and Jihad to the list of terrorist organizations, the ambassador denied that, saying Europe's view regarding the rights of the Palestinian people has not changed.

Asked on the stance of Europe and Spain in particular regarding the situation in the occupied territories, Haridi said Spain clearly believes that Israel's practices do not pave the way for resuming peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Spain strongly rejects such practices against the Palestinian National Authority and leader Yasser Arafat personally, he added.

The Spanish government resents the Israeli government's decision to prevent Arafat from visiting Bethlehem to attend Christmas celebrations, he said, adding that Spain will focus during its chairmanship of the EU on issues on the Palestinian Israeli track.