Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Czech Presidency's intended summit is not likely to go ahead. Our position at the December Council meeting was clear. We wrote to the Presidency and stated that were there to be any upgrade or any summit with Israel, there would need to be a summit with the Palestinian Authority. The Presidency was going down another route.

Ireland's position has always been consistent in that we have linked progress on the Middle East peace process with any upgrade in relationships. The Israeli Government has not been happy with our position, but that strong linkage between upgrading relationships with any player in the region and sensible progress and commitment to key principles is important.

While a good relationship already exists between Israel and the EU, upgrading it further, in the absence of any commitment from the new Prime Minister of Israel to-----

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