European pressure on Israel coupled with Sharon 's visit to Italy
The European union EU foreign minister discussed with his Israeli foreign minister bilateral differences concerning the sanctions imposed by Tel Aviv on its officials, the separation wall and the settlements as they met in Brussels yesterday during the European- Israeli partnership talks.
High Representative for European Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana said that the EU member countries want to forget about differences and start the implementation of the Roadmap for peace in the Middle East. In statements to the press, Solana called on Israel for more cooperation and taking further steps to enhance confidence.
He added "it is important that our special envoys, I myself and all ministers will get the opportunity to meet all persons concerned in the process, including the Palestinians at all levels." For his part, the Israeli foreign minister Shalom Silvan, currently visiting Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union vowed to spare no efforts to cooperate with the EU, but he, on the other hand, called for " a more balanced position by the European Union towards the Palestinian- Israeli conflict."
Worth noting that the Israelis had refused to meet any official European figure that meets with the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Solana's statements are also in line with the EU official position concerning the separation barrier built by Israel in the West Bank, annexing thousands of hectares of Palestinian lands.
Relations between Europe and Israel have been in a crisis. Israel considers that Europe can play a greater role in the Middle East and accuses the European politicians of forming the public opinion by their bias to the Palestinian side.
The European pressures coincide with the beginning of the three-day visit of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to Italy which currently presides over the current presidency of the European Union..
Sharon will be also meeting during the visit with his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi whom he considers "Israel's best friend in the EU."
Talks will concentrate on the concern over so-called anti-Semitism position in all parts of Europe and means of improving Israel's image in Europe after it had been greatly deteriorated since the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising) three years ago.
An opinion poll carried out by the European Commission few weeks ago showed that 59% of the EU citizens view Israel as the greatest threat to peace in the world. A matter which had greatly angered Israel.