EU for boosting Middle East peace

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has expressed his welcome of the European efforts exerted to promote the Middle East peace process.

Following his meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen, whose country is currently presiding over the presidency of the EU, Arafat said, "We have discussed the whole Middle East peace and obstacles and difficulties impeding us. We are eventually in need of the support and backing of the European Union and its constructive efforts in the peace process."

For her part Halonen stressed the desire of the EU to establish peace in the Middle East. She called for rapid implementation of the agreements signed at the US mediation, noting that "rapid implementation of the agreements" will help cultivate the fruits of such agreements.