EU Middle East envoy statements on peace

The European Union's special envoy for the Middle East peace process, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said he will visit the Palestinian Authority and Israel following the formation by Ehud Barak of the new Israeli government on June 28.

In statements to the Jordanian daily al-Rai published on Wednesday, Moratinos expressed his optimism that following the formation of the new Israeli government, a new phase for resetting the peace process into its right track will start.

The EU envoy added that despite EU support for the role played by the US as a Middle East peace process cosponsor, "yet we have to play a big role." He continued that the message he received from all Arab states he visited during the past phase indicates that, "All are ready and are committed towards peace, and the same is for the international community."

Moratinos said he stressed to Jordanian officials his readiness in his capacity as the EU Middle East peace envoy to work closely with Jordan in the final stage of negotiations especially concerning the question of the refugees and the waters, the two topics which are of concern to Jordan.