Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Notwithstanding the different emphases and perspectives across the European Union with regard to the Middle East, the conclusions arrived at last December under the Swedish Presidency were strong and robust and form a basis for consensus across the Union and a platform for action on the issue. The issue remains on the agenda on a continuing basis because of events. The European Union welcomes the initial prioritisation by President Obama's Administration of the Middle Eastern question and, in particular, the appointment of Mr. George Mitchell as peace envoy. Everybody has been frustrated by the slow progress on starting up proximity talks. The European Union remains and will remain committed to the issue in terms of resources allocated to the Palestinian Authority and the Administration led by Prime Minister Fayyad. We must keep pursuing the fundamental issues, as articulated in the December conclusions.

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