Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to positively influence the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to the need to encourage peace initiatives between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48360/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and I have made clear my view that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum. Ireland has worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two state solution.

The EU remains firmly committed to a two state solution to the conflict. With the prospects for peace continuing to deteriorate on the ground EU Foreign Ministers have discussed the Peace Process on numerous occasions over the last year, most recently at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting in August. There we considered how the EU can productively engage and better use all the levers at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. We must ensure that the EU’s support for the region is focused on delivery of the two-state solution.

However, there is also great concern among EU colleagues about threats to the viability of that solution, stemming principally from the settlement policy of the Israeli Government. The Middle East Peace Process has been effectively stalled for four years now.

Along with other EU colleagues I have sought to encourage and influence the United States in its current consideration of a Middle East initiative, so long as it addresses the needs of both parties to the conflict. And I have indicated my intention to hold an informal ministerial meeting in Ireland, for a small number of Arab and European Foreign Ministers. I believe this style of gathering could be useful in promoting the exchange of ideas on how to restart the stagnated peace process.