Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a range of issues on which the European Union needs to clarify its position and it needs to intensify its hand in the negotiations. Undoubtedly, the Middle East peace process is important to the European Union because the countries of the region are our neighbours. I acknowledge that over recent years, the matter has not been as high on the agenda as it could have been. Following my intervention at the October Foreign Affairs Council meeting, I was pleased that the matter not only moved up the agenda but also that the recently appointed High Commissioner, Federica Mogherini, visited the region on 7 and 8 November and presented a detailed report to members of the Council.

I am urging my EU colleagues to use the Union's undoubted influence with the parties involved in the conflict to ensure we can bring about a sustainable solution. We must build on the peace because it is not sufficient to endure a ceasefire or what could be described as a negative peace. We must impress upon the parties the need to engage and ensure the conflict is brought to an end. This will involve dealing with the issues raised by Senator Power, including the unacceptable settlements, labelling of settlement products and the introduction of guidelines, policies and advice to ensure we can impress upon the Israeli Government in particular our view that the consistent expansion of settlements is entirely unacceptable and in direct conflict with what we all want, namely, a viable two-state solution.