Written answers

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Peace Process

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with his EU counterparts fresh plans to provide a much-needed and new impetus to the Israel/Palestine peace process in view of last month’s general election in Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8941/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I agree entirely that a renewed impetus is badly needed in the Middle East Peace Process. As I have told the House on previous occasions, I have argued consistently at EU level that the talks process has been effectively stalled since 2009, while the feasibility of a negotiated solution is being steadily eroded by negative Israeli policies on the ground. In the Foreign Affairs Council in December, and particularly at Monday’s meeting of the FAC in Brussels, I discussed with my EU colleagues the prospects, in the context of recent developments, for restarting the talks process, and how the EU can best assist this.

The re-election of President Obama and the recent election in Israel, create a possible opportunity to break the stalemate. The incoming US Secretary Kerry has expressed a strong wish to make a renewed effort in the Middle East, and President Obama’s subsequent decision to visit Israel shortly may provide a favourable context for these efforts. At the same time, the election in Israel on 22 January has considerably shaken up the composition of the Knesset, with many and complex implications for the policy of the new Government.

The composition and policies of the new Israeli Government are not yet known, and many meetings, discussions and high level visits have yet to take place, but I hope very much that the conditions can be established for real negotiations towards a comprehensive peace agreement. The EU will do everything it can to support this process, working both with the United States, the other Quartet partners, and the parties in the region. The most important necessity, as before, is for a positive disposition on all sides and, in particular, an Israeli Government that can see and reach out for the opportunity that still exists.

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