Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I have been closely following the developments since last week's general elections in Israel. I offer my congratulations to acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, on the success of his party, Kadima, which is now the largest party in the Knesset. It seems clear that he and other Israeli political leaders will need some time to negotiate the formation of a new coalition government.

The Irish Government strongly believes that as the political situation following the Palestinian and Israeli elections settles, it will be clear that the basic reality remains that the only way in which a lasting and peaceful settlement of the conflict can be found is through the negotiation of a mutually acceptable and viable two state solution. This must involve the coexistence in peace and security of the state of Israel and a truly viable Palestinian state with agreed international borders.

Negotiations on the basis of agreed fundamental principles are the only option. The pursuit of progress through unilateral actions by either party or both parties will not create the conditions for long-term peace. I therefore warmly welcome the statement by acting Prime Minister Olmert, in his victory speech on 29 March, that there is no good alternative to a peace agreement and that while his goal is to bring about the establishment of the final borders of Israel as a Jewish state and a democratic country, his Government will work to achieve this through negotiations and through an agreement with their Palestinian neighbours.

The Government looks forward to developing a good working relationship with the new Israeli Government and to maintaining the open and frank relationship which enables us to discuss directly and constructively our views on the obligations on the parties under the roadmap and under international law. We will continue to raise directly with the Israeli Government our concerns, which are shared by all our EU partners, on Israeli policies and activities in the occupied territories, which are contrary to international law and which threaten to undermine a solution based on the coexistence of two viable states.

I continue to hope that the new Hamas Government will take seriously the clear messages from the EU and the international Quartet on the conditions for engagement with the international community. They have also received clear advice on the way forward from President Mahmoud Abbas, their Arab neighbours and in direct discussions with representatives of the governments of Russia and Turkey.

The Government, in common with our EU partners, strongly supports the requirement that the Hamas Government renounces violence, disarms, recognises Israel's right to exist and accepts existing agreements reached by negotiation between the PLO, the Palestinian Authority and Israel. If there is any evidence of a willingness to make progress on these steps, based unequivocally on the continued absence of violence, I will strongly urge a response from the EU. The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I will attend in Luxembourg next Monday, will further review developments.

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