Belgian Speaker: Europe will take economic measures

The Belgian speaker described President Hosni Mubarak's role as very crucial to achieve peace in the Middle East for his political acumen and long experience.

In statements to MENA on Thursday, the Speaker said the Europeans have become more aware of the Palestinian cause for many reasons.

First, the intensive media coverage which reflected the situation to the Europen street and sparked demonstrations throughout the European capitals.

Second, the signals sent by Iraq and Iran over possible use of oil as a weapon.

He said the idea that the US is the sole source of solution has changed, besides the US has recently encouraged a European involvement in hammering out a fair settlement for the Palestinian cause under the UN umbrella.

In case a ceasefire is reached, Europe might take part by sending observers to help the fighters respect their agreement, said the Belgian chief legislator.

On the reported Belgian parliament's suspension of relations with Israel, the Speaker said matters should not be overestimated.

What happened was just two members of parliament froze their relations with Israel, he noted.

We are trying to look at the struggle without any bias. What the European Parliament will do over the coming period will be a shake-off of its conventional stance, said the Belgian Speaker.

If Israel does not abide by the peace option, Europe will take economic measures, he added.

The role of Yasser Arafat has not expired and he is the only and official spokesman of Palestinians and has become more powerful than he was few months ago, he said.

Arafat and (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon are requested to stop all aggressions, said the Belgian speaker.

He admitted partially that Europe used to offer more lip service than action.

The issue is not a game as Europe does not have a magic wand, he said, pointing out that despite its unity and economic and moral influence, Europe still lacks a unified foreign policy.

He said he cannot say whether the Belgian human rights court would subpoena Sharon, noting that the judicial system is completely idependent from politics.