Egypt calls for revitalizing European role in Middle East peace

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on Thursday in Helsinki stressed that Europe should be effective in strengthening peace in the Middle East.

In a press conference with his Finnish counterpart, Tarja Halonen, the Egyptian FM added that Europe has credibility, and therefore, there should be an effective European role in the Middle East peace process.

Moussa held the former Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for suspending the Middle East peace process, yet he expressed his cautious optimism over reaching a peaceful settlement in the region under the new Israeli government.

For her part, Halonen said the Middle East peace process is on top of the agenda of the European Union.

The Finnish FM added that all know the extent of the importance of rebuilding Serbia's province of Kosovo, but, "It has to be explained that the Middle East peace process is not forgotten.

In this context, the EU Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Moratinos, said that he is preparing for the visit of Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari to the region.