Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on this subject. The violence and loss of life in the Middle East have been of major concern to the international community for a number of years past. This region is beset by a number of conflicts and sources of tension. I propose to deal only with the more prominent among those issues.

The events of the past few days and weeks have underlined, once again, the tense and dangerous situation created by the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation. There has been no visible progress in advancing the peace process. On the contrary, violence continues unabated and the number of casualties increases with every passing day.

The Government has expressed grave concern at the deterioration in the Gaza Strip. The current violence demonstrates the futility of trying to resolve this conflict by military means and the need for an urgent resumption of negotiations. I call on both sides to take the essential first step of declaring a reciprocal ceasefire under the supervision of international monitors as a prelude to renewed political negotiations. I also condemn terror attacks on Israel, as well as statements inciting violence, and I call on the Palestinian Authority to take immediate action against terrorists.

The European Union recognises Israel's right to protect its citizens against terrorist attack. We have often stated our belief that no cause can justify the terrorist atrocities against innocent civilians carried out by Hamas and other organisations. Nevertheless, the Union is opposed to extra-judicial killings. Far from ending terror, they can only inflame the situation. Equally, terrorism does nothing to advance the Palestinian objective of a state of its own. On the contrary, terrorism and especially the horrific suicide bombings inflict immense harm upon the Palestinian cause.

Another problem which needs to be tackled is the security fence being built by Israel where it crosses occupied territories. The Union has called on Israel to stop and reverse construction of the fence as well as settlement activity. The Union has also addressed the questions raised by Israel's proposed unilateral evacuation of Gaza. We see in this both a danger and an opportunity. The danger is that, if this withdrawal is not properly orchestrated, it could lead to chaos, further bloodshed and the weakening of the Palestinian Authority.

The opportunity is that a properly managed withdrawal, involving the co-operation of the international community, could represent a significant step towards implementation of the roadmap. The Union has identified a number of elements which will be necessary for a successful withdrawal. In particular, it should take place in the context of the roadmap and it should be a step towards a two state solution. Above all, there must be no question of Gaza first and Gaza last.

The Union insists that a viable Palestinian state must be based on contiguity of territory within agreed borders. It is also clear that any revision of the Gaza proposal must be based on a total withdrawal if it is to attract international support.

A particularly crucial meeting of the Quartet took place in New York on 4 May. It came at a time of great uncertainty following a lengthy period of quartet inactivity. The Bush-Sharon exchange caused understandable anxiety. All this resulted in a recognition of the need to restabilise the situation. This could only be done by strongly reaffirming the basic principles underlying the peace process. The European Union expressed its position at the Foreign Ministers informal meeting at Tullamore in a major affirmation of EU principles. All the essential principles are maintained and confirmed in the Quartet's New York statement.

First, the Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to the two state solution. This is defined as a viable, democratic, sovereign and contiguous state in the case of Palestine. It stated there must be a full Israeli withdrawal and end of occupation in Gaza. It placed this firmly within the two state vision and the roadmap. It reaffirmed President Bush's call for an end to the occupation that began in 1967 through a settlement negotiated between the parties. It stated explicitly that no party should take unilateral actions that seek to predetermine issues that can only be resolved through negotiation and agreement between the two parties. The Quartet further stated a final settlement on issues such as borders and refugees must be mutually agreed by Israel and Palestine and must be based on the relevant resolutions and principles.

In other parts of the statement the Quartet set out a wide range of measures they expect Israel and Palestine to take. It also called on the Palestinian Authority to take immediate action against terrorism. Israel, for its part, was called on to exert maximum efforts to avoid civilian casualties and to exercise its right of self-defence within the parameters of international humanitarian law.

The position of the European Union is quite clear. It is committed to a negotiated agreement resulting in two viable, sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, living side by side in peace and security. We see this as taking place in the framework of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The European Union will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement between the parties. A comprehensive peace must, of course, include Lebanon and Syria.

The roadmap brings together all the elements that are essential to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, neither side has acted with sufficient vigour to implement the roadmap. It would appear that it is too difficult to carry out all the measures envisaged in the first phase at one time. This is why the European Union has suggested that a number of smaller steps be taken. They must, however, be significant and, although small, concrete and visible. These steps should include meaningful security measures that begin to prevent acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. They should include meaningful measures to ease the suffering Palestinians face in their daily lives and they should be accompanied by a complete ceasefire between the two sides. These steps would mark a beginning in the implementation of the first phase of the roadmap. They would aim at building the necessary confidence and political will needed to permit the carrying out of all the measures contained in the first phase. The process could then move on to the second and third stages and culminate in the establishment of a Palestinian state.

We also look forward to an early meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers. We realise that one meeting cannot solve all problems. Nevertheless, we believe this meeting should have a substantive outcome that would pave the way for further significant progress. It is of vital importance that action be taken now so as to prevent the opening of a political void that would further undermine the chances of moving forward in the peace process.

A further major problem besetting the region and which has broad international consequences is the very worrisome situation in Iraq, which is of huge concern to us all. The European Union's position on Iraq has consistently been one of support for the restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. The Union believes a strong UN role is essential for the success of reconstruction efforts. We look forward to the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government at the end of June and to future national elections, with a vital and growing role for the UN endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

The European Union has condemned all violence and terrorist attacks. We have expressed our concern that the current campaign of terrorist violence is both leading to significant loss of life, especially among civilians, and is impeding the path to political progress and economic reconstruction in Iraq.