Patten: Israel does not respond to European efforts to achieve ME peace

The EU commissioner for foreign political affairs, Chris Patten has stressed the European Union (EU) continued efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, based on international resolutions. He warned against the continued double- standard policy in implementing the international resolutions in the region.

Patten strongly denounced in a statement to the Egyptian daily al-Ahram issued yesterday Israel's categorical rejection to respond to the European efforts to achieve peace in the region and its disregard of the International resolutions.

Patten said that the political efforts of the EU in the region are coupled with economic efforts to support the Palestinian people and backing them under the siege imposed on them by the Israeli government.

The European official also stressed the EU states unwavering position in rejecting any military act against Iraq. He called for the need to reaching a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi issue through the UN and UN security council resolutions, concerned.