Swiss Foreign Minister highlights Arab Peace Initiative
Swiss Foreign Minister Mrs. Micheline Calmy-Rey highlighted the Arab peace initiative reached at Beirut 2002 Summit as a firm basis to establish peace in the Middle East and end decades-long Arab-Israeli conflict.
In an interview published in the Saudi daily Riyadh published Sunday, Mrs. Calmy-Rey said her country gave priority to finding a peaceful solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
She expressed deep concern over deteriorated situation in Iraq, saying it would be difficult for the rest of the countries in the world, including her country, to help Iraqis and rebuild a war-shattered country unless security situation has improved.
The Chief of the Swiss diplomacy added that any Swiss aid to Iraq should be linked to UN plans and meet the real need of the Iraqi people.
The Swiss Foreign Minister said there was urgent need for international concerted efforts to fight all forms of terrorism, stressing that force would not be sufficient by itself to eradicate this phenomena. Roots of terrorism should be tackled through fighting poverty, employment and involve people in political and social activities, she said.
