Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-01-26-Speech-3-079"
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".
Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@en4
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"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@cs1
"Hr. formand, jeg vil indlede med at sige, at jeg er enig i den højtstående repræsentant, hr. Solanas, analyse. Det er mig også en glæde at tale til Dem for første gang i en forhandling om Mellemøsten, især fordi den for første gang i mange år anslår en forsigtig optimistisk tone. Derfor er det dejligt at være her og fortælle Dem om Kommissionens overvejelser, der naturligvis i høj grad supplerer det, som hr. Solana sagde.
Vi forventer også en forbedret politisk dialog, der vil give os mulighed for at rejse spørgsmål om ikke blot fredsprocessen, men også masseødelæggelsesvåben. Jeg rejser til området inden længe, og jeg vil tage disse idéer op med palæstinenserne og israelerne. Det er naturligvis parterne selv, der skal gøre det største arbejde, navnlig hvad angår tillidsskabelse. Jeg kan allerede se, at der er en fornyet vilje til at gøre det. Israel kan tilbyde tillidsskabende foranstaltninger, f.eks. vedrørende sikkerhedssamarbejde, løsladelse af fanger, færre restriktioner for bevægelighed, lettelse af økonomisk pres, bedre håndhævelse af operationsreglerne og midler til at begrænse de civile tab.
Det er klart, at palæstinenserne må gengælde eller endog forvente aktioner vedrørende sikkerhedsspørgsmål. De skal konsolidere den interne palæstinensiske våbenhvile, mane den israelske frygt for, at våbenhvilen vil styrke ekstremisterne, i jorden, indsamle ulovlige våben og lukke tunnellerne under grænsen mellem Gazastriben og Egypten.
Det er meget at gøre, men det vigtigste er, at EU er forenet i sit ønske om og sin vilje til - som Javier Solana sagde - at bistå begge sider i at arbejde hen imod en fred, der er værdig til at blive kaldt fred. Derfor ser vi også frem til præsident Bushs og hans stabs besøg i Bruxelles den 22. februar, hvor fredsprocessen i Mellemøsten vil stå øverst på vores dagsorden. Hvis vi i det mindste kan gøre nogle små fremskridt på det punkt, vil vi have mulighed for at samarbejde med amerikanerne om spørgsmålet om det bredere Mellemøsten, som vi begge er engagerede i.
Der sker virkelig en meget opmuntrende udvikling i regionen. Rådsformand Asselborn har lige besøgt Jerusalem og Gazastriben, og han mener, at begge parter gør fremskridt, hvilket hr. Solana netop har redegjort for. De opinionsundersøgelser, der er lavet siden det palæstinensiske valg, viser også, at et stigende flertal blandt palæstinenserne og israelerne nu støtter en fredsproces og en fredelig afslutning af konflikten baseret på tostatsløsningen. Det er i sig selv en meget vigtig og opmuntrende udvikling.
Præsidentvalget gik meget fint. Jeg værdsætter og takker hr. Rocard, som har gjort et meget godt stykke arbejde under vanskelige betingelser sammen med sin stab. Jeg vil også igen takke valgobservationsmissionen og de medlemmer af Parlamentet, der bidrog til dens succes.
Det politiske resultat af valget giver anledning til håb. De palæstinensiske vælgere viste deres ønske om fred og demokrati, og valget er nu blevet et incitament til en mere demokratisk udvikling af regionen som helhed. Samtidig har vi noteret os valgrapporten, og vi vil samarbejde med palæstinenserne om at rette op på fejl ved valgprocessen, navnlig hvad angår den centrale valgkommissions uafhængighed. Vi mener, at dette er meget vigtigt i lyset af de kommende parlaments- og kommunalvalg.
Vi er enige med hr. Solana i, at Abu Mazen er en troværdig partner for fred og en dygtig samtalepartner for palæstinensisk institutionsopbygning, herunder reformen af sikkerhedsstrukturerne. Han har allerede vist lederevner i de sidste par dage ved at udstationere politi i den nordlige del af Gazastriben, at omstrukturere sikkerhedstjenesterne og, som medierne rapporterede i mandags, at blive enig med palæstinensiske grupper om at indstille angrebene på Israel. Det er tilsammen et meget forsigtigt positivt skridt.
Det er vigtigt, at det internationale samfund nu handler hurtigt for at støtte ham. Den palæstinensiske befolkning forventer håndgribelige tegn på fremskridt: forbedring af deres sociale og økonomiske situation, genoprettelse af respekt for lov og orden og fremskridt for institutionsopbygning og reform. Jeg kan love Dem, at Kommissionen vil gøre sit.
Jeg skylder min forgænger, hr. Patten, meget, for han hejste det palæstinensiske flag på meget vanskelige tidspunkter. Jeg takker også dem i Parlamentet, som støttede ham. Jeg vil fortsat gøre dette, og navnlig nu, hvor det er endnu vigtigere, fordi det er tidspunktet for at gøre mere. Jeg håber, at vi også får mulighed for at øge vores samarbejde om forskellige projekter.
I 2004 afsatte vi ca. 250 millioner euro, og vi vil afsætte et lignende beløb i 2005. Vi vil være meget opmærksomme på, hvad vores penge går til.
Vi har nu et nyt instrument, som blev vedtaget i december, i form af handlingsplaner under vores naboskabspolitik. Disse indeholder såvel politiske som økonomiske foranstaltninger, der vil bidrage til fredsprocessen. De omfatter handelslettelse, fremme af god regeringsførelse og respekt for menneskerettighederne, forståelse og bekæmpelse af den ødelæggende virkning af tilskyndelse til had, lettelse af adgang til og fremme af respekten for den humanitære folkeret og tilskyndelse til samarbejde om meget praktiske ting, som vi håber vil føre til en forbedring af levevilkårene - miljø, vand, energi og transport."@da2
".
Herr Präsident, als Erstes möchte ich sagen, dass ich der Analyse unseres Hohen Vertreters, Herrn Solana, zustimme. Außerdem freue ich mich, zum ersten Mal in einer Aussprache über den Nahen Osten zu Ihnen sprechen zu können, insbesondere da erstmalig seit vielen Jahren vorsichtig optimistische Töne angeschlagen werden. Daher finde ich es wunderbar, hier zu sein und mit Ihnen über die Anliegen der Kommission zu sprechen, die natürlich ganz stark das ergänzen, was Herr Solana gesagt hat.
Ebenso freuen wir uns auf einen verbesserten politischen Dialog, der es uns ermöglichen wird, nicht nur Fragen aufzuwerfen, die den Friedensprozess betreffen, sondern die sich auch auf Massenvernichtungswaffen beziehen. In Kürze werde ich in die Region reisen und diese Ideen mit den Palästinensern und den Israelis besprechen. Selbstverständlich werden die beiden Parteien den Hauptanteil der Arbeit selbst übernehmen müssen, insbesondere die Vertrauensbildung. Ich kann bereits eine erneute Bereitschaft dazu feststellen. Israel hat vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen zu bieten, z. B. im Sicherheitsbereich oder die Freilassung von Gefangenen, die Lockerung der Einschränkung der Bewegungsfreiheit, die Linderung des wirtschaftlichen Drucks, eine bessere Durchsetzung der Einsatzregeln und Möglichkeiten zur Verringerung der Anzahl der zivilen Opfer.
Klar ist, dass die Palästinenser Maßnahmen zu Sicherheitsfragen erwidern oder sogar im Voraus ergreifen müssen. Sie müssen den innerpalästinensischen Waffenstillstand konsolidieren, sich Gedanken über die israelischen Bedenken machen, dass der Waffenstillstand die Position der Extremisten stärken könne, illegale Waffen einsammeln und die Tunnel unter der Grenze zwischen dem Gaza-Streifen und Ägypten schließen.
Vieles muss getan werden, doch am Wichtigsten ist, dass die Europäische Union – wie Javier Solana sagte – einig in ihrem Wunsch und Willen ist, beiden Seiten dabei zu helfen, diesen Weg in Richtung eines Friedens zu gehen, der es wert ist, Frieden genannt zu werden. Dabei blicken wir auch gespannt auf den Besuch von Präsident Bush und seinem Team am 22. Februar in Brüssel, wo der Nahost-Friedensprozess ganz oben auf unserer Tagesordnung stehen wird. Wenn wir bei dieser Gelegenheit zumindest einige kleine Schritte nach vorn tun können, dann werden wir, parallel zu den Amerikanern, die Chance zur Zusammenarbeit in der weiter gefassten Nahost-Frage erhalten – etwas, wofür wir uns beide einsetzen.
In der Region finden tatsächlich äußerst ermutigende Entwicklungen statt. Der amtierende Ratspräsident, Herr Asselborn, hat gerade Jerusalem und dem Gaza-Streifen einen Besuch abgestattet, und er ist der Ansicht, dass sich beide Parteien vorwärts bewegen, so wie das Herr Solana gerade dargelegt hat. So geht auch aus Umfragen, die seit den palästinensischen Wahlen durchgeführt wurden, hervor, dass nun eine wachsende Mehrheit der Palästinenser und Israelis einen Friedensprozess und eine friedliche Lösung des Konflikts auf der Grundlage einer Zweistaatenlösung unterstützt. Das an sich ist eine sehr wichtige und viel versprechende Entwicklung.
Die Präsidentschaftswahlen sind sehr gut gelaufen. Ich bin Herrn Michel Rocard, der unter diesen schwierigen Umständen gemeinsam mit seinem Team hervorragende Arbeit geleistet hat, sehr dankbar und weiß dieses Engagement sehr zu schätzen. Außerdem möchte ich noch einmal der Wahlbeobachtungsmission und den Mitgliedern dieses Parlaments danken, die zum Erfolg beigetragen haben.
Das politische Ergebnis der Wahlen gibt Anlass zur Hoffnung. Die palästinensischen Wähler haben ihren Wunsch nach Frieden und Demokratie zum Ausdruck gebracht, und jetzt sind die Wahlen zu einem Ansporn für eine demokratischere Entwicklung in der gesamten Region geworden. Parallel dazu haben wir dem Wahlbericht große Beachtung geschenkt, und wir werden mit den Palästinensern zusammenarbeiten, um Mängel im Wahlverfahren auszumerzen, insbesondere wenn es um die Unabhängigkeit der Zentralen Wahlkommission geht. Unseres Erachtens ist dies angesichts der bevorstehenden Parlaments- und Kommunalwahlen von zentraler Bedeutung.
Wir teilen die Ansicht von Herrn Solana, dass Abu Mazen ein glaubwürdiger Partner für den Frieden und ein kompetenter Gesprächspartner für den Aufbau von palästinensischen Institutionen ist, wozu auch die Reform der Sicherheitsstrukturen gehört. In den vergangenen Tagen hat er mit der Stationierung von Polizeikräften im nördlichen Teil des Gaza-Streifens, der Umstrukturierung der Sicherheitsdienste und, wie am Montag in den Medien berichtet wurde, mit einer Einigung mit den palästinensischen Splittergruppen auf eine Beendigung der Angriffe gegen Israel Führungsstärke bewiesen. All das spricht für eine sehr verhaltene positive Entwicklung.
Jetzt kommt es darauf an, dass die internationale Gemeinschaft schnell handelt, um ihn zu unterstützen. Das palästinensische Volk erwartet spürbare Zeichen des Fortschritts: eine Verbesserung seiner sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Lage, Wiederherstellung der Achtung von Recht und Ordnung sowie Fortschritte beim Aufbau von Institutionen und bei den Reformen. Ich kann Ihnen versprechen, dass die Europäische Kommission ihren Part dabei übernehmen wird.
Vieles habe ich meinem Vorgänger, Herrn Patten, zu verdanken, der in äußerst schwierigen Zeiten die palästinensische Fahne hochgehalten hat. Außerdem danke ich all denen hier im Parlament, die ihn dabei unterstützt haben. Ich werde in diesem Sinne fortfahren, ganz besonders jetzt, wo es noch wichtiger geworden ist, da jetzt der richtige Zeitpunkt zu einem verstärkten Handeln gekommen ist. Hoffentlich werden wir auch die Möglichkeit erhalten, unsere Zusammenarbeit bei verschiedenen Projekten zu verstärken.
Im Jahre 2004 haben wir ca. 250 Millionen Euro zur Verfügung gestellt, und 2005 werden wir eine ähnliche Summe bereitstellen. Wir werden genau darauf achten, wofür unser Geld ausgegeben wird.
Jetzt verfügen wir über ein neues Instrument, das in Form von Aktionsplänen im Rahmen unserer Nachbarschaftspolitik im Dezember beschlossen wurde. Diese enthalten politische sowie wirtschaftliche Maßnahmen zur Unterstützung des Friedensprozesses. Dazu gehören Handelserleichterungen, die Förderung guter Regierungsführung und die Achtung der Menschenrechte, Verständnis und die Bekämpfung des verheerenden Einflusses der Aufwiegelung zum Hass, der leichtere Zugang zu und die stärkere Achtung des humanitären Völkerrechts sowie die Verbesserung der Zusammenarbeit in äußerst praktischen Fragen, die hoffentlich zu einer Verbesserung der Lebensbedingungen führen wird, wie Umwelt, Wasser, Energie und Verkehr."@de9
"Κύριε Πρόεδρε, συμμερίζομαι την ανάλυση του Ύπατου Εκπροσώπου μας, κ. Σολάνα. Με μεγάλη μου χαρά επίσης συμμετέχω για πρώτη φορά σε μια συζήτηση για τη Μέση Ανατολή, ιδιαίτερα επειδή για πρώτη φορά μετά από πολλά χρόνια υπάρχει μια νότα συγκρατημένης αισιοδοξίας. Συνεπώς, είναι υπέροχο να βρίσκομαι εδώ και να μοιράζομαι μαζί σας τις σκέψεις της Επιτροπής, οι οποίες φυσικά συμπληρώνουν σε γενικές γραμμές όσα είπε ο κ. Σολάνα.
Προσβλέπουμε επίσης σε έναν βελτιωμένο πολιτικό διάλογο ο οποίος θα μας επιτρέψει να εγείρουμε θέματα τα οποία δεν θα αναφέρονται μόνο στην ειρηνευτική διαδικασία αλλά επίσης στα όπλα μαζικής καταστροφής. Θα βρεθώ σύντομα στην περιοχή και θα θέσω αυτές τις ιδέες στους Παλαιστίνιους και στους Ισραηλινούς. Προφανώς, οι ίδιες οι εμπλεκόμενες πλευρές θα πρέπει να κάνουν το κύριο μέρος της δουλειάς, ειδικά την οικοδόμηση εμπιστοσύνης. Διαπιστώνω ήδη ότι υπάρχει έντονη προθυμία να γίνει κάτι τέτοιο. Το Ισραήλ μπορεί να προσφέρει μέτρα οικοδόμησης εμπιστοσύνης, επί παραδείγματι όσον αφορά τη συνεργασία στον τομέα της ασφάλειας, την απελευθέρωση των κρατουμένων, τη χαλάρωση των περιορισμών στη μετακίνηση, την χαλάρωση της οικονομικής πίεσης, την καλύτερη επιβολή των κανόνων περί ενόπλων συρράξεων και μέσων μείωσης του αριθμού των απωλειών άμαχου πληθυσμού.
Είναι σαφές ότι οι Παλαιστίνιοι πρέπει να ανταποκριθούν ή και ακόμη να προλάβουν δράσεις για θέματα ασφάλειας. Πρέπει να εδραιώσουν την ενδο-παλαιστινιακή εκεχειρία, να κατευνάσουν τις ανησυχίες των Ισραηλινών ότι η εκεχειρία δεν θα ενισχύσει τους εξτρεμιστές, να συγκεντρώσουν παράνομα όπλα και να κλείσουν τις υπόγειες διόδους κάτω από τα σύνορα Γάζας-Αιγύπτου.
Μένουν ακόμη πολλά να γίνουν, αλλά το πιο σημαντικό είναι ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση πρέπει να μείνει ενωμένη στην πρόθεσή της και τη βούλησή της –όπως είπε ο Χαβιέ Σολάνα – να βοηθήσει και τις δύο πλευρές να διασχίσουν αυτή την λεωφόρο προς μία ειρήνη η οποία θα αξίζει να αποκαλείται ειρήνη. Για αυτόν τον λόγο, προσβλέπουμε επίσης στην επίσκεψη του Προέδρου Μπους και του επιτελείου του στις Βρυξέλλες στις 22 Φεβρουαρίου, όταν η ειρηνευτική διαδικασία στη Μέση Ανατολή θα βρίσκεται στην κορυφή της ημερήσιας διάταξης. Εάν μπορούμε τουλάχιστον να σημειώσουμε ορισμένα μικρά βήματα προόδου προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση, τότε θα έχουμε την ευκαιρία να εργαστούμε μαζί, παράλληλα με τους Αμερικανούς, για το ευρύτερο ζήτημα της Μέσης Ανατολής, κάτι για το οποίο είμαστε και οι δύο δεσμευμένοι.
Πράγματι, υπάρχουν πολύ ενθαρρυντικές εξελίξεις στην περιοχή. Ο Προεδρεύων του Συμβουλίου, κ. Asselborn, μόλις επισκέφτηκε την Ιερουσαλήμ και τη Γάζα και είναι της γνώμης ότι και οι δύο πλευρές σημειώνουν βήματα προόδου, όπως ακριβώς περιέγραψε ο κ. Σολάνα. Σφυγμομετρήσεις οι οποίες διεξήχθησαν μετά τις παλαιστινιακές εκλογές δείχνουν ότι μία αυξανόμενη πλειοψηφία Παλαιστινίων και Ισραηλινών υποστηρίζουν τώρα μια ειρηνευτική διαδικασία και μια ειρηνική λύση στη διαμάχη όσον αφορά τη λύση των δύο κρατών. Αυτό, από μόνο του, είναι μια πολύ σημαντική και ενθαρρυντική εξέλιξη.
Οι προεδρικές εκλογές πήγαν πολύ καλά. Είμαι πολύ ευγνώμων και τρέφω βαθιά εκτίμηση για τον κ. Michel Rocard, ο οποίος έκανε πολύ καλή δουλειά υπό δύσκολες συνθήκες, με την ομάδα του. Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω και πάλι τους εκλογικούς παρατηρητές, καθώς και τους βουλευτές αυτού του Κοινοβουλίου οι οποίοι συνεισέφεραν στην επιτυχία της.
Το πολιτικό αποτέλεσμα των εκλογών μας δίνει λόγους να ελπίζουμε. Οι παλαιστίνιοι ψηφοφόροι έδειξαν την επιθυμία τους για ειρήνη και δημοκρατία και οι εκλογές κατέστησαν τώρα το ερέθισμα για την περαιτέρω δημοκρατική εξέλιξη της περιοχής γενικότερα. Ταυτόχρονα, δώσαμε αρκετή προσοχή στην έκθεση για τις εκλογές και θα εργαστούμε μαζί με τους Παλαιστινίους για να εξαλείψουμε ελλείψεις στην εκλογική διαδικασία, ιδιαιτέρως όσον αφορά την ανεξαρτησία της Κεντρικής Εκλογικής Επιτροπής. Πιστεύουμε ότι αυτό είναι πολύ σημαντικό ενόψει των επικείμενων βουλευτικών και δημοτικών εκλογών.
Συμμεριζόμαστε την άποψη του κ. Σολάνα ότι ο Αμπού Μαζέν είναι ένας αξιόπιστος εταίρος για την ειρήνη και ένας ικανός συνομιλητής για την οικοδόμηση των παλαιστινιακών θεσμών, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της μεταρρύθμισης των δομών ασφάλειας. Έχει ήδη επιδείξει ηγετικές ικανότητες τις τελευταίες ημέρες με την ανάπτυξη αστυνομικών δυνάμεων στο βόρειο μέρος της Λωρίδας της Γάζας, την αναδιάρθρωση των υπηρεσιών ασφάλειας, όπως αναφέρθηκε από τα μέσα μαζικής ενημέρωσης τη Δευτέρα, και τη σύναψη συμφωνίας με τις διάφορες παλαιστινιακές ομάδες για τον τερματισμό των επιθέσεων κατά του Ισραήλ. Όλα αυτά συντελούν σε μία συγκρατημένα θετική κίνηση.
Είναι σημαντικό η διεθνής κοινότητα να δράσει τώρα γρήγορα για να τον στηρίξει. Ο παλαιστινιακός λαός περιμένει τώρα απτά σημάδια προόδου: τη βελτίωση της κοινωνικής και οικονομικής κατάστασης, την επαναφορά του σεβασμού στον νόμο και την τάξη, και την πρόοδο στη δημιουργία των θεσμών και τη μεταρρύθμιση. Μπορώ να σας υποσχεθώ ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή θα διαδραματίσει τον ρόλο της.
Οφείλω πολλά στον προκάτοχό μου, κ. Patten, ο οποίος κράτησε ψηλά την παλαιστινιακή σημαία σε πολύ δύσκολες στιγμές. Ευχαριστώ επίσης όσους από εσάς στο Κοινοβούλιο τον στήριξαν. Θα συνεχίσω να το κάνω και ειδικά τώρα, που είναι ακόμη πιο σημαντικό, επειδή είναι η κατάλληλη στιγμή να γίνουν περισσότερα. Ελπίζω ότι θα έχουμε επίσης την ευκαιρία να προωθήσουμε τη συνεργασία μας σε διάφορα σχέδια.
Το 2004 διανείμαμε περίπου 250 εκατομμύρια ευρώ, και θα παράσχουμε αντίστοιχο ποσό το 2005. Θα εξετάσουμε πολύ προσεκτικά πού δαπανώνται τα χρήματα.
Έχουμε τώρα στη διάθεσή μας ένα νέο μέσο, το οποίο αποφασίστηκε τον Δεκέμβριο, με τη μορφή των σχεδίων δράσης στο πλαίσιο της Πολιτικής Γειτονίας. Τα σχέδια περιλαμβάνουν πολιτικά και οικονομικά μέτρα τα οποία θα βοηθήσουν την ειρηνευτική διαδικασία. Περιλαμβάνουν τη διευκόλυνση των συναλλαγών, την προώθηση της χρηστής διακυβέρνησης και του σεβασμού των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων, την κατανόηση και την καταπολέμηση της καταστροφικής επιρροής της υποκίνησης του μίσους, τη διευκόλυνση της πρόσβασης και την προώθηση του σεβασμού στο Διεθνές Ανθρωπιστικό Δίκαιο, και την ενθάρρυνση της συνεργασίας σε πολύ πρακτικά θέματα τα οποία ελπίζουμε ότι θα οδηγήσουν στη βελτίωση των συνθηκών διαβίωσης – το περιβάλλον, το νερό, την ενέργεια και τις μεταφορές."@el10
"Señor Presidente, antes de nada quiero decir que comparto el análisis de nuestro Alto Representante, el señor Solana. Es también para mí un placer dirigirme a ustedes por primera vez en un debate sobre Oriente Próximo, ante todo porque por primera vez en muchos años parece existir un tono moderadamente más optimista. Por eso celebro estar aquí y compartir con ustedes las ideas de la Comisión, que por supuesto complementan en gran medida lo que ha dicho el señor Solana.
Asimismo, esperamos intensificar el diálogo político para poder plantear cuestiones no solo relativas al proceso de paz, sino también a las armas de destrucción masiva. Dentro de poco viajaré a la región y transmitiré estas ideas a los palestinos y a los israelíes. Evidentemente, las dos partes tendrán que hacer casi todo el trabajo, sobre todo para restablecer la confianza mutua. Pero puedo apreciar ya que existe una voluntad renovada de conseguirlo. Israel puede ofrecer medidas para restablecer la confianza, por ejemplo cooperando en materia de seguridad, liberando a presos, relajando las restricciones de movilidad, reduciendo la presión económica, aplicando mejor las reglas de intervención y buscando formas de reducir el número de víctimas civiles.
Está claro que los palestinos tienen que adoptar medidas recíprocas o incluso anticiparse en cuestiones de seguridad. Tienen que consolidar el cese de hostilidades en territorio palestino, tranquilizar a los israelíes preocupados por la posibilidad de que los extremistas aprovechen el alto al fuego para fortalecerse, requisar las armas ilegales y cerrar los túneles debajo de la frontera de Gaza con Egipto.
Quedan muchas cosas por hacer, pero lo más importante es que la Unión Europea se muestre unida en su deseo y su voluntad –como ha dicho Javier Solana– de ayudar a las dos partes a avanzar en este proceso hacia una paz que merezca llamarse así. Por eso, esperamos también la visita del Presidente Bush y de su equipo en Bruselas el 22 de febrero, en la que el proceso de paz de Oriente Próximo ocupará un lugar prioritario de nuestras discusiones. Si al menos pudiéramos avanzar algunos pequeños pasos en esa ocasión, tendríamos la oportunidad de trabajar conjuntamente con los estadounidenses en la cuestión más general de Oriente Próximo en cuya solución ambos estamos empeñados.
En efecto, se están produciendo acontecimientos muy positivos en la región. El Presidente en ejercicio del Consejo, el señor Asselborn, acaba de visitar Jerusalén y Gaza y él también cree que ambas partes están avanzando, como acaba de explicarnos el señor Solana. Las encuestas realizadas desde las elecciones palestinas indican a su vez que una creciente mayoría de palestinos e israelíes apoyan ahora un proceso de paz y una resolución pacífica del conflicto sobre la base de la creación de dos Estados. Eso ya es, de por sí, un avance muy importante y positivo.
Las elecciones presidenciales se celebraron sin incidentes. Me alegro mucho de ello y quiero expresar mi profundo aprecio por el señor Rocard, quien ha hecho un excelente trabajo en circunstancias difíciles, junto con su equipo. Quiero dar también las gracias de nuevo a la Misión de Observación Electoral, así como a los diputados a este Parlamento que contribuyeron a su éxito.
El resultado político de las elecciones alienta nuestra esperanza. El electorado palestino ha demostrado su deseo de paz y democracia y las elecciones se han convertido ya en un estímulo para el progreso democrático de toda la región. Al mismo tiempo, hemos tomado buena nota del informe sobre las elecciones y trabajaremos con los palestinos para resolver las deficiencias del proceso electoral, sobre todo las que afectan a la independencia de la Comisión Electoral Central. Creemos que eso es muy importante de cara a las próximas elecciones parlamentarias y municipales.
Compartimos con el señor Solana la opinión de que Abu Mazen es un socio creíble para la paz y un interlocutor capacitado para crear las instituciones palestinas y reformar las estructuras de seguridad. Ha demostrado su capacidad de liderazgo estos últimos días con el despliegue policial en la zona norte de la Franja de Gaza, la reestructuración de los servicios de seguridad y, como anunciaron los medios de comunicación el pasado lunes, el acuerdo alcanzado con facciones palestinas para el cese de atentados contra Israel. Todo ello supone un avance, con todas las cautelas, muy positivo.
Es importante que ahora la comunidad internacional actúe deprisa en su apoyo. El pueblo palestino espera signos de progreso palpables: mejora de su situación social y económica, restablecimiento del respeto de la ley y el orden y avances en la creación y reforma de sus instituciones. Puedo prometerles que la Comisión Europea desempeñará el papel que le corresponde.
Debo mucho a mi predecesor, el señor Patten, quien sostuvo en alto la bandera palestina en momentos muy difíciles. Doy también las gracias a quienes en este Parlamento le apoyaron. Yo seguiré haciendo lo mismo, especialmente ahora que es aún más importante, porque es el momento adecuado para avanzar. Espero que tengamos también la oportunidad de intensificar nuestra cooperación en distintos proyectos.
En 2004 destinamos unos 250 millones de euros, y en 2005 destinaremos una cantidad similar. Vigilaremos con mucha atención el modo en que se gaste nuestro dinero.
Disponemos ahora de un nuevo instrumento, aprobado en diciembre, que consiste en los planes de acción encuadrados en nuestra Política de Vecindad. Dichos planes contienen medidas políticas y también económicas que ayudarán al proceso de paz. Entre ellas destacan la promoción del comercio, la gobernanza y el respeto de los derechos humanos, la identificación y lucha contra la devastadora influencia de la incitación al odio, la facilitación del acceso y la promoción del respeto del Derecho humanitario internacional, así como una mayor cooperación en cuestiones muy prácticas con las que esperamos mejorar las condiciones de vida: medio ambiente, agua, energía y transporte."@es20
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@et5
".
Arvoisa puhemies, ensinnäkin olen samaa mieltä korkean edustajamme Solanan analyysistä. Olen iloinen voidessani ensimmäistä kertaa osallistua Lähi-itää koskevaan keskusteluun, varsinkin kun ensimmäistä kertaa vuosiin se kuulostaa varovaisen optimistiselta. On siis ihanaa olla täällä ja kertoa teille komission ajatuksista, jotka luonnollisesti suurelta osin täydentävät Solanan puheenvuoroa.
Odotamme myös entistä parempaa poliittista vuoropuhelua, jossa saamme mahdollisuuden tuoda esiin seikkoja, jotka liittyvät rauhanprosessin lisäksi myös joukkotuhoaseisiin. Matkustan piakkoin alueelle ja käsittelen näitä ajatuksia palestiinalaisten ja israelilaisten kanssa. Osapuolten on luonnollisesti tehtävä itse suurin osa työstä, varsinkin luottamuksen rakentaminen. Katson kuitenkin, että uutta halukkuutta tähän on jo nähtävissä. Israel voi tarjota luottamusta rakentavia toimenpiteitä, esimerkiksi turvallisuusyhteistyötä, vankien vapauttamista, liikkumisvapauden rajoitusten helpottamista, taloudellisen paineen helpottamista, sitoumuksia koskevien sääntöjen parempaa noudattamista sekä keinoja siviiliuhrien määrän pienentämiseksi.
On selvää, että palestiinalaisten on vastattava tähän tai jopa ennätettävä ensin turvallisuusasioissa. Heidän on vahvistettava Palestiinan sisäinen tulitauko, otettava huomioon israelilaisten huoli siitä, että tulitauko ei vahvista äärijärjestöjä, kerättävä pois laittomat aseet ja suljettava Gazan ja Egyptin välisen rajan tunnelit.
On paljon tehtävää, mutta tärkeintä on, että Euroopan unionin on yhdistyttävä toiveissaan ja tahdossaan – kuten Javier Solana totesi – molempien osapuolten auttamiseksi rauhan tielle kohti todellista rauhaa. Odotamme myös presidentti Bushin ja hänen tiiminsä vierailua Brysseliin 22. helmikuuta, ja tuolloin Lähi-idän rauhanprosessi on esityslistan kärjessä. Jos voimme edes ottaa muutaman pienen askeleen eteenpäin, meillä on mahdollisuus tehdä yhteistyötä yhdysvaltalaisten kanssa Lähi-idän asiassa, johon olemme molemmat sitoutuneet.
Alueella tapahtunut kehitys on todellakin ollut rohkaisevaa. Neuvoston puheenjohtaja Asselborn on juuri vieraillut Jerusalemissa ja Gazassa, ja hänen mielestään molemmat osapuolet edistyvät, kuten korkea edustaja Solana juuri totesi. Palestiinan vaalien jälkeiset mielipidetiedustelut osoittavat myös, että kasvava enemmistö palestiinalaisista ja israelilaisista kannattaa nyt rauhanprosessia ja konfliktin rauhanomaista ratkaisua kahden valtion perusteella. Tämä on jo sellaisenaan merkittävää ja rohkaisevaa kehitystä.
Presidentinvaalit sujuivat oikein hyvin. Olen hyvin kiitollinen Michel Rocardille ja arvostan suuresti sitä, että hän on tehnyt ryhmänsä kanssa erinomaista työtä vaikeissa oloissa. Haluan vielä kerran kiittää myös vaalitarkkailuvaltuuskuntaa sekä parlamentin jäseniä, jotka auttoivat sitä onnistumaan tehtävässään.
Vaalien poliittinen tulos antaa meille jälleen toivoa. Palestiinalaiset äänestäjät osoittivat halukkuutensa rauhaan ja demokratiaan ja vaalit ovat nyt käynnistäneet entistä demokraattisemman kehityksen koko alueella. Samalla olemme panneet merkille vaaliraportin ja työskentelemme palestiinalaisten kanssa korjataksemme vaalimenettelyssä ilmenneet puutteet, varsinkin mitä tulee keskusvaalilautakunnan riippumattomuuteen. Katsomme, että tämä on hyvin tärkeää tulevien parlamentti- ja kunnallisvaalien kannalta.
Olemme korkean edustajan Solanan kanssa yhtä mieltä siitä, että Abu Mazen on uskottava rauhankumppani ja kyvykäs neuvottelukumppani Palestiinan instituutioiden rakentamisessa turvallisuusrakenteiden uudistus mukaan luettuna. Hän on jo osoittanut johtajan taitonsa viime päivinä poliisien sijoittamisessa Gazan kaistaleen pohjoisosaan, turvallisuuspalvelun uudelleenjärjestämisessä ja, kuten tiedotusvälineet maanantaina kertoivat, neuvotteluissa palestiinalaisryhmittymien kanssa Israeliin suuntautuvien iskujen lopettamiseksi. Kaikki tämä liittyy hyvin varovaisen myönteiseen suuntaukseen.
On tärkeää, että kansainvälinen yhteisö toimii nyt nopeasti tukeakseen häntä. Palestiinan kansa odottaa konkreettisia merkkejä edistymisestä. Se odottaa yhteiskunnallisen ja taloudellisen tilanteen paranemista, laillisen yhteiskuntajärjestyksen palauttamista sekä instituutioiden rakentamisen ja uudistusten edistymistä. Voin luvata teille, että Euroopan komissio huolehtii omasta osuudestaan.
Olen paljosta velkaa edeltäjälleni Pattenille, joka kannatteli Palestiinan lippua hyvin vaikeina aikoina. Kiitän myös niitä henkilöitä täällä parlamentissa, jotka tukivat häntä. Jatkan hänen toimiaan varsinkin nyt, kun se on vieläkin tärkeämpää, sillä nyt on oikea hetki tehdä enemmän. Toivon, että meillä on myös mahdollisuus tehostaa yhteistyötämme monissa eri hankkeissa.
Vuonna 2004 osoitimme toimintaan noin 250 miljoonaa euroa ja osoitamme vuonna 2005 vastaavan määrän. Tarkastelemme huolellisesti sitä, mihin rahamme käytetään.
Nyt meillä on uusi väline, josta päätettiin joulukuussa, nimittäin naapuruuspolitiikkaamme liittyvät toimintasuunnitelmat. Niihin liittyy poliittisia ja taloudellisia toimenpiteitä rauhanprosessin tukemiseksi. Niihin liittyy kaupankäynnin helpottaminen, hyvän hallintotavan edistäminen sekä ihmisoikeuksien kunnioittaminen, vihaan yllyttämisen tuhoisien vaikutusten ymmärtäminen ja torjuminen, kansainvälisen humanitaarisen oikeuden entistä helpompi sovellettavuus ja sen kunnioittaminen sekä yhteistyön edistäminen hyvin käytännöllisissä asioissa, joiden toivomme johtavan elinolojen paranemiseen ympäristön, vesihuollon, energiahuollon ja liikenteen aloilla."@fi7
".
Monsieur le Président, je tiens tout d’abord à affirmer que je partage l’analyse de notre haut-représentant, M. Solana. C’est en outre un plaisir pour moi d’intervenir pour la première fois devant vous dans un débat sur le Moyen-Orient, notamment parce que, pour la première fois depuis de nombreuses années, la région fait prudemment entendre une note plus optimiste. Je suis donc ravie d’être parmi vous et de partager avec vous les pensées de la Commission, qui complètent bien sûr en grande partie les propos de M. Solana.
Nous cherchons également à renforcer le dialogue politique, afin de pouvoir soulever des questions relatives non seulement au processus de paix, mais également aux armes de destruction massive. Je me rendrai prochainement dans la région et reprendrai ces idées avec les Palestiniens et les Israéliens. Les parties devront, naturellement, accomplir elles-mêmes la majeure partie du travail, et en particulier le développement de la confiance. Je peux d’ores et déjà constater qu’il existe une volonté renouvelée d’y parvenir. Israël peut adopter des mesures permettant d’instaurer la confiance, notamment au niveau de la coopération en matière de sécurité, de la libération des prisonniers, d’un allégement des entraves à la liberté de circulation, d’une réduction de la pression économique, d’une meilleure application des règles d’engagement et des moyens de limiter le nombre de victimes civiles.
Il est clair que les Palestiniens doivent prendre des mesures du même ordre, et même anticiper les actions relatives aux questions de sécurité. Ils doivent consolider le cessez-le-feu intrapalestinien, répondre aux préoccupations d’Israël, qui veut éviter que ce cessez-le-feu ne renforce les extrémistes, collecter les armes détenues illégalement et fermer les tunnels passant sous la frontière entre Gaza et l’Égypte.
De nombreuses choses restent à accomplir, mais le plus important est que l’Union européenne affiche une position et une volonté communes pour aider les deux parties - comme l’a déclaré M. Solana - à emprunter cette avenue menant à une paix digne de ce nom. Dans cette optique, nous attendons également la visite à Bruxelles du président Bush et de son équipe le 22 février; le processus de paix au Moyen-Orient sera alors au cœur de notre agenda. Si nous pouvons au moins faire quelques petits pas en avant à cette occasion, nous aurons une chance de travailler ensemble, en parallèle avec les États-Unis, sur la question plus vaste du Moyen-Orient, envers laquelle nous sommes tous deux engagés.
La région est en effet le théâtre d’évolutions très encourageantes. Le président en exercice du Conseil, M. Asselborn, revient d’une visite à Jérusalem et à Gaza. Il sent que les deux parties progressent, comme vient de le souligner M. Solana. Des sondages réalisés depuis les élections palestiniennes indiquent également qu’une majorité croissante de Palestiniens et d’Israéliens soutient à présent un processus de paix et une résolution pacifique du conflit sur la base du principe de deux États. C’est en soi une évolution très importante et tout à fait encourageante.
Les élections présidentielles se sont parfaitement déroulées. J’apprécie et remercie de tout cœur Michel Rocard, qui a réalisé avec son équipe un travail remarquable dans des conditions difficiles. Je tiens à remercier encore une fois la mission d’observation électorale, ainsi que les membres de ce Parlement qui ont contribué à son succès.
Le résultat politique des élections nous donne des raisons d’espérer. Les électeurs palestiniens ont fait part de leur soif de paix et de démocratie, et les élections servent à présent de moteur à une évolution plus démocratique de la région dans son ensemble. Parallèlement, nous avons pris bonne note du rapport sur les élections, et nous travaillerons avec les Palestiniens pour pallier les lacunes du processus électoral, notamment en ce qui concerne l’indépendance de la commission électorale centrale. Nous pensons que cette démarche est très importante au vu des élections législatives et municipales à venir.
Nous partageons avec M. Solana l’opinion qu’Abou Mazen est un partenaire crédible pour parvenir à la paix et un interlocuteur capable de mener à bien le développement des institutions palestiniennes, dont la réforme des infrastructures de sécurité. Il a déjà fait preuve de ses qualités de leader au cours des derniers jours en déployant des forces de police dans le nord de la bande de Gaza, en restructurant les services de sécurité et, comme l’ont annoncé les médias lundi dernier, en s’accordant avec les différentes factions palestiniennes sur un arrêt des attaques contre Israël. Tout cela s’ajoute à une dynamique que l’on peut prudemment qualifier de positive.
Il importe à présent que la communauté internationale agisse rapidement pour le soutenir. Le peuple palestinien attend des signes tangibles de progrès: amélioration de sa situation économique et sociale, retour du respect de l’État de droit, et poursuite du développement des institutions et des réformes. Je peux vous assurer que la Commission européenne apportera sa contribution.
Je dois beaucoup à mon prédécesseur, M. Patten, qui a levé le drapeau palestinien en des moments très difficiles. Je remercie également les membres de ce Parlement qui l’ont soutenu. J’agirai dans son sillage, et particulièrement maintenant, à l’heure où cela est d’autant plus important, car le moment est opportun pour faire davantage. J’espère que nous aurons également l’occasion de renforcer notre coopération dans le cadre de divers projets.
En 2004, nous avons déboursé environ 250 millions d’euros, et nous fournirons un montant similaire en 2005. Nous examinerons avec beaucoup d’attention la manière dont notre argent est dépensé.
Nous disposons à présent d’un nouvel instrument, adopté en décembre, sous la forme des plans d’action de notre politique de voisinage. Ceux-ci contiennent des mesures politiques et économiques qui soutiendront le processus de paix. Celles-ci comprennent la facilitation des échanges, la promotion de la bonne gouvernance et le respect des droits de l’homme, la compréhension et la lutte contre l’influence dévastatrice de l’incitation à la haine, la facilitation de l’accès au droit humanitaire international et la promotion du respect de ce dernier, ainsi que l’encouragement de la coopération sur des questions d’aspect purement pratique qui, nous l’espérons, entraînera une amélioration des conditions de vie - environnement, eau, énergie et transports."@fr8
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@hu11
"Signor Presidente, vorrei dire innanzi tutto che condivido l’analisi dell’Alto rappresentante Solana. Anche per me è un piacere rivolgermi a voi per la prima volta in un dibattito sul Medio Oriente, tenuto conto soprattutto che per la prima volta in molti anni si svolge in un clima più cautamente ottimista. E’ pertanto meraviglioso essere qui e condividere con voi le opinioni della Commissione, che, com’è ovvio, integrano in gran parte quanto Javier Solana ha detto.
Auspichiamo altresì un miglioramento del dialogo politico in modo da poter sollevare questioni non solo inerenti al processo di pace, ma anche alle armi di distruzione di massa. Fra breve mi recherò nella regione e valuterò tali idee con i palestinesi e gli israeliani. E’ ovvio che saranno le due parti a dover compiere gran parte del lavoro, in particolare il rafforzamento della fiducia. Posso già constatare che esiste una rinnovata volontà di farlo. Israele può offrire misure di rafforzamento della fiducia, ad esempio la cooperazione in materia di sicurezza, il rilascio di prigionieri, l’allentamento delle restrizioni alla libertà di circolazione, l’alleggerimento della pressione economica, una migliore applicazione delle regole di ingaggio e dei mezzi per ridurre il numero di morti tra i civili.
E’ chiaro che i palestinesi devono ricambiare o anticipare le azioni sulle questioni relative alla sicurezza. Devono consolidare il cessate il fuoco tra i palestinesi e affrontare le preoccupazioni di Israele, che teme che il cessate il fuoco possa rafforzare gli estremisti, e inoltre devono ritirare le armi illegali e chiudere i tunnel che passano sotto il confine tra Gaza ed Egitto.
Sono molte le cose da fare, ma la più importante è che l’Unione europea dimostri una disponibilità e una volontà unanimi – come Javier Solana ha detto – di aiutare entrambe le parti a percorrere il cammino verso una pace degna di questo nome. Per questo motivo, attendiamo con ansia anche la visita del Presidente Bush e dei suoi collaboratori a Bruxelles il 22 febbraio, durante la quale il processo di pace in Medio Oriente sarà al primo posto all’ordine del giorno. Se potremo almeno compiere alcuni piccoli passi avanti, avremo la possibilità di affrontare insieme, in parallelo con gli americani, la più ampia questione mediorientale, nei confronti della quale siamo entrambi impegnati.
In effetti, si sono verificati sviluppi molto incoraggianti nella regione. Il Presidente in carica del Consiglio Asselborn ha da poco visitato Gerusalemme e Gaza e ritiene che entrambe le parti stiano compiendo passi avanti, come Javier Solana ha poc’anzi illustrato. Da alcuni sondaggi condotti dopo le elezioni palestinesi emerge che una crescente maggioranza di palestinesi e israeliani attualmente sostiene un processo di pace e una soluzione pacifica del conflitto sulla base della soluzione dei due Stati. Si tratta di per sé di uno sviluppo molto importante e incoraggiante.
Le elezioni presidenziali sono andate molto bene. Sono molto grata e vorrei esprimere profondo apprezzamento nei confronti dell’onorevole Rocard, che ha compiuto un ottimo lavoro in circostanze difficili, insieme al suo gruppo. Vorrei anche ringraziare ancora una volta la missione di osservazione elettorale, nonché i deputati al Parlamento europeo che hanno contribuito al suo successo.
L’esito politico delle elezioni offre motivo di speranza. Gli elettori palestinesi hanno manifestato il loro desiderio di pace e di democrazia e le elezioni sono diventate uno stimolo per uno sviluppo più democratico della regione in generale. Abbiamo altresì preso debito atto della relazione sulle elezioni e collaboreremo con i palestinesi per colmare le lacune del processo elettorale, in particolare per quanto riguarda l’indipendenza della commissione elettorale centrale. Lo riteniamo molto importante alla luce delle prossime elezioni parlamentari e municipali.
Condividiamo con Javier Solana l’opinione secondo cui Abu Mazen è un
credibile per la pace e un interlocutore capace per il rafforzamento delle istituzioni palestinesi, compresa la riforma delle strutture di sicurezza. Egli ha già dato prova di autorevolezza negli ultimi giorni con il dispiegamento di forze di polizia nella parte settentrionale della striscia di Gaza, la ristrutturazione dei servizi di sicurezza, secondo quanto riportato, lunedì, dagli organi di informazione, concordando con le fazioni palestinesi una cessazione degli attentati contro Israele. Si tratta nel complesso di un’evoluzione cautamente positiva.
E’ importante che la comunità internazionale adesso agisca in tempi brevi per sostenerlo. Il popolo palestinese attende segnali tangibili di progressi, quali il miglioramento della situazione economica e sociale, il ripristino del rispetto per la legge e l’ordine e passi avanti nel rafforzamento e nella riforma delle istituzioni. Posso promettervi che la Commissione europea farà la sua parte.
Devo molto al mio predecessore, Chris Patten, che ha difeso la bandiera palestinese in momenti molto difficili. Ringrazio anche quelli di voi in seno al Parlamento che lo hanno sostenuto. Da parte mia continuerò a farlo, soprattutto adesso, che è ancor più importante, in quanto è il momento giusto per fare di più. Mi auguro inoltre che sia possibile intensificare la nostra cooperazione su vari progetti.
Nel 2004 abbiamo stanziato circa 250 milioni di euro e nel 2005 metteremo a disposizione un importo analogo. Esamineremo con estrema attenzione in quale modo i fondi verranno spesi.
Adesso disponiamo di un nuovo strumento, deciso in dicembre, sotto forma di piani d’azione nell’ambito della politica di vicinato, contenenti misure politiche ed economiche atte a sostenere il processo di pace. Tali misure contemplano l’agevolazione degli scambi, la promozione di un buon sistema di governo e il rispetto dei diritti umani, la comprensione e la lotta contro la devastante influenza dell’istigazione all’odio, la facilitazione dell’accesso al diritto umanitario internazionale e la promozione del rispetto di tale diritto nonché l’incoraggiamento della cooperazione su questioni pratiche, quali ambiente, risorse idriche, energia e trasporti, che ci auguriamo comporti un miglioramento delle condizioni di vita."@it12
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@lt14
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@lv13
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@mt15
".
Mijnheer de Voorzitter, om te beginnen ben ik het eens met de analyse van onze Hoge Vertegenwoordiger, de heer Solana. Het doet mij ook genoegen u voor de eerste keer toe te spreken in een debat over het Midden-Oosten, te meer omdat dit debat voor het eerst in vele jaren weer voorzichtig optimistisch van toon is. Het is dus geweldig hier te zijn en u deelgenoot te maken van de ideeën van de Commissie, die uiteraard in hoge mate een aanvulling zijn op de woorden van de heer Solana.
Wij denken tevens aan verbetering van de politieke dialoog, die ons in staat zal stellen onderwerpen aan de orde te stellen die niet alleen betrekking hebben op het vredesproces maar ook op massavernietigingswapens. Ik zal de regio binnenkort zelf bezoeken en deze ideeën met de Palestijnen en Israëli's bespreken. Uiteraard zullen de betrokken partijen zelf het meeste werk moeten doen, met name op het vlak van vertrouwensopbouw. Ik kan zien dat er in dat opzicht een hernieuwde bereidheid is ontstaan. Israël kan maatregelen bieden om het vertrouwen te vergroten, bijvoorbeeld in de vorm van veiligheidssamenwerking, vrijlating van gevangenen, versoepeling van de beperkingen op het vrije verkeer, vermindering van de economische druk, betere toepassing van de inzetregels en beter gebruik van methoden om het aantal burgerslachtoffers te beperken.
Het moge duidelijk zijn dat de Palestijnen eventuele maatregelen inzake veiligheidskwesties moeten beantwoorden of hier zelfs op moeten vooruitlopen. Ze moeten het intra-Palestijnse staakt-het-vuren consolideren, reageren op de bezorgdheid van de Israëli's dat het staakt-het-vuren de extremisten juist sterker zal maken, illegale wapens in beslag nemen en de tunnels onder de grens tussen de Gazastrook en Egypte sluiten.
Er moeten nog veel dingen gebeuren, maar het belangrijkste is dat de Europese Unie eensgezind is in haar wil en wens, zoals Javier Solana al zei, om beide partijen te helpen de weg te bewandelen die leidt naar vrede, een vrede die het waard is vrede genoemd te worden. Hiervoor is onze blik ook gericht op het bezoek van president Bush en zijn team aan Brussel op 22 februari, waarbij het vredesproces in het Midden-Oosten bovenaan op de agenda zal staan. Als we bij deze ontmoeting op zijn minst een paar kleine vorderingen kunnen maken, zullen we een kans hebben om samen met de Amerikanen te werken aan de bredere kwestie rond het Midden-Oosten, een zaak waar de EU en de VS beide veel belang aan hechten.
Er spelen zich inderdaad zeer bemoedigende ontwikkelingen af in de regio. De fungerend voorzitter van de Raad, de heer Asselborn, heeft zojuist Jeruzalem en Gaza bezocht en hij heeft het gevoel dat beide partijen momenteel vorderingen maken, zoals de heer Solana net ook al aangaf. Uit enquêtes die na de Palestijnse verkiezingen zijn gehouden, blijkt ook dat een groeiende meerderheid van de Palestijnen en Israëli's voorstander is van een vredesproces en een vreedzame oplossing van het conflict op basis van het concept van twee staten. Dat is op zichzelf al een zeer belangrijke en bemoedigende ontwikkeling.
De presidentsverkiezingen zijn zeer goed verlopen. Ik ben de heer Michel Rocard zeer dankbaar en heb grote waardering voor hem. Hij heeft uitstekend werk verricht onder zeer moeilijke omstandigheden, samen met zijn team. Ik wil ook de verkiezingswaarnemingsmissie opnieuw bedanken, evenals de leden van dit Parlement die hebben bijgedragen aan haar succes.
De politieke uitkomst van deze verkiezingen stemt ons hoopvol. De Palestijnse kiezers hebben blijk gegeven van hun verlangen naar vrede en democratie en de verkiezingen vormen nu een stimulans voor een meer democratisch georiënteerde ontwikkeling van de regio in zijn geheel. Tegelijk hebben we terdege nota genomen van het verkiezingsrapport en zullen we samen met de Palestijnen proberen de tekortkomingen in het verkiezingsproces weg te werken, met name waar het de onafhankelijkheid van de centrale kiescommissie betreft. Dit is in onze ogen zeer belangrijk met het oog op de komende parlementaire en gemeentelijke verkiezingen.
Wij delen het standpunt van de heer Solana dat Abu Mazen een geloofwaardige partner voor vrede is en een geschikte gesprekspartner voor de institutionele opbouw in Palestijns gebied, waaronder ook de hervorming van veiligheidsstructuren. Hij heeft de afgelopen dagen reeds blijk gegeven van leiderschap door het inzetten van politie in het noordelijk deel van de Gazastrook, het herstructureren van de veiligheidsdiensten en, zoals maandag in de media is gemeld, het maken van de afspraak met de Palestijnse facties om de aanvallen op Israël stop te zetten. Dit alles vormt een ontwikkeling die we met enige voorzichtigheid positief kunnen noemen.
Het is van groot belang dat de internationale gemeenschap nu snel maatregelen neemt om hem te steunen. Het Palestijnse volk verwacht tastbare tekenen van succes: verbetering van de sociale en economische situatie, herstel van wets- en ordehandhaving en vooruitgang in de institutionele opbouw en bij hervormingen. Ik kan u beloven dat de Europese Commissie hierbij haar rol zal vervullen.
Ik ben mijn voorganger, de heer Patten, die de Palestijnse zaak ook op zeer moeilijke momenten hoog hield, veel verschuldigd. Ik dank ook de mensen in het Parlement die hem gesteund hebben. Ik zal zijn voorbeeld navolgen, en vooral nu, omdat dit het juiste moment is om meer te doen. Ik hoop dat we ook de kans zullen hebben om onze samenwerking bij verschillende projecten te intensiveren.
In 2004 hebben we ongeveer 250 miljoen euro toegekend, en in 2005 zullen we een bedrag in dezelfde orde van grootte toekennen. Wij zullen ook zorgvuldig kijken waar ons geld naar toe gaat.
Wij beschikken nu over een nieuw instrument, waartoe we in december hebben besloten, in de vorm van actieplannen in het kader van het nabuurschapsbeleid. Deze actieplannen omvatten politieke en ook economische maatregelen die zullen bijdragen aan het vredesproces. Tot deze maatregelen behoren handelsbevordering, de bevordering van goed bestuur en eerbiediging van de mensenrechten, bewustmaking en bestrijding van de verwoestende invloed van het zaaien van haat, bevordering van de toegang tot en naleving van het internationale humanitaire recht en het stimuleren van samenwerking op praktische gebieden die hopelijk zal leiden tot verbetering van de leefomstandigheden – milieu, water, energie en vervoer."@nl3
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@pl16
"Senhor Presidente, antes de mais, partilho da análise do nosso Alto Representante, Javier Solana. Também para mim é um prazer dirigir-me a vós, pela primeira vez, num debate sobre o Médio Oriente, especialmente porque, pela primeira vez em muitos anos, me parece existir uma nota cautelosamente mais optimista. Por isso, é extraordinário poder estar aqui e partilhar convosco a visão da Comissão, que, evidentemente, complementa em larga medida o que o senhor alto Representante afirmou.
Procuraremos também um diálogo político melhorado, que nos permita levantar questões não relacionadas com o processo de paz, mas também no que se refere às armas de destruição maciça. Deslocar-me-ei à região, em breve, e levantarei estas questões com palestinianos e israelitas. Obviamente, caberá às próprias partes realizar a maioria do trabalho, em particular, o restabelecimento da confiança. Posso verificar, desde já, que existe uma vontade renovada de o fazer. Israel pode oferecer medidas de restauração de confiança, por exemplo, a cooperação na área da segurança, a libertação dos presos, a flexibilização das restrições à circulação, a diminuição da pressão económica, a melhoria da aplicação das regras de relacionamento e meios de reduzir o número de baixas civis.
É evidente que os palestinianos deverão actuar de formar recíproca ou mesmo antecipar acções relacionadas com questões de segurança. Deverão consolidar o cessar-fogo intra-palestiniano, responder às preocupações israelitas de que o cessar-fogo não reforce os extremistas, recolher armas ilegais e fechar os túneis sob a fronteira Gaza-Egipto.
Há muito para fazer, mas o mais importante é que a União Europeia se mantenha unida nos seus desejos e na sua vontade – como o referiu Javier Solana – a fim de ajudar ambas as partes a trilharem esta via para uma paz que seja digna de ser designada por paz. Para isso, aguardamos também com expectativa a visita do Presidente Bush e da sua equipa a Bruxelas, a 22 de Fevereiro, durante a qual o processo de paz no Médio Oriente estará no topo da nossa agenda. Se conseguirmos, pelo menos, dar alguns pequenos passos em frente, nessa ocasião, então haverá a possibilidade de trabalharmos em conjunto, em paralelo com os americanos, no que respeita à questão mais alargada do Médio Oriente, algo em que ambos estamos empenhados.
Na verdade, há uma evolução muito encorajadora na região. O Presidente em exercício do Conselho, o Senhor Ministro Jean Asselborn, acaba de visitar Jerusalém e Gaza e considera que ambas as partes estão a fazer progressos, tal como o Senhor Alto Representante acaba de salientar. As sondagens efectuadas desde as eleições palestinianas mostram que uma crescente maioria de palestinianos e israelitas apoia agora o processo de paz e a resolução pacífica do conflito, com base na solução dos dois Estados. Este factor
é de extrema importância e constitui uma evolução muito encorajadora.
As eleições presidenciais correram muito bem. Estou extremamente grata ao senhor deputado Michel Rocard, que muito estimo, pois desenvolveu um óptimo trabalho em circunstâncias muito difíceis, juntamente com a sua equipa. Gostaria também de agradecer novamente à Missão de Observação das Eleições, bem como aos deputados deste Parlamento que contribuíram para o seu êxito.
O resultado político da eleição dá-nos motivos para manter a esperança. Os eleitores palestinianos mostraram o seu desejo de paz e democracia, e as eleições tornaram-se agora um estímulo para um desenvolvimento mais democrático da região mais alargada. Tomámos, simultaneamente, devida nota do relatório das eleições e trabalharemos com os palestinianos para colmatar as lacunas do processo eleitoral, especialmente no que se refere à independência da Comissão Central de Eleições. Consideramos que isso é de extrema importância tendo em vista as próximas eleições parlamentares e municipais.
Partilhamos com o Senhor Alto Representante Javier Solana da opinião de que Abu Mazen é um parceiro credível para a paz e um interlocutor capaz para a criação de instituições palestinianas, incluindo a reforma das estruturas de segurança. Já demonstrou capacidade de liderança, nos últimos dias, com o destacamento de polícias para a região Norte da Faixa de Gaza, a reestruturação dos serviços de segurança e, tal como noticiado pelos meios de comunicação social, na segunda-feira, o acordo com as facções palestinianas destinado a pôr fim aos ataques a Israel. Tudo isso representa uma evolução positiva e extremamente cautelosa.
É importante que a comunidade internacional actue, agora, com celeridade para o apoiar. O povo palestiniano espera ver sinais palpáveis de progressos: melhoria da sua situação económica e social, restabelecimento do respeito pela lei e a ordem, e realização de progressos em matéria de construção de instituições e concretização de reformas. Posso garantir-vos que a Comissão Europeia desempenhará o seu papel.
Devo muito ao meu antecessor, Chris Patten, que manteve hasteada a bandeira palestiniana em momentos muito difíceis. Agradeço também a todos quantos neste Parlamento o apoiaram. Prosseguirei esse trabalho especialmente agora, que é ainda mais importante, pois é o momento certo para se fazer mais. Espero que tenhamos também a possibilidade de acelerar a nossa cooperação em diversos projectos.
Em 2004, atribuímos aproximadamente 250 milhões de euros, e concederemos um montante semelhante em 2005. Verificaremos de muito perto como é aplicado o nosso dinheiro.
Dispomos agora de um novo instrumento, decidido em Dezembro, sob a por forma de planos de acção ao abrigo da nossa Política de Vizinhança. Estes contêm medidas políticas e económicas que ajudarão ao processo de paz. Incluem a facilitação do comércio, a promoção da boa governança e do respeito pelos direitos humanos, a compreensão e o combate à influência devastadora do incitamento ao ódio, a simplificação do acesso e promoção do respeito pelo direito humanitário internacional, e o fomento à cooperação sobre questões muito concretas, que, esperamos, conduzirão a uma melhoria das condições de vida – o ambiente, a água, a energia e os transportes."@pt17
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@sk18
"Mr President, firstly I share the analysis of our High Representative, Mr Solana. For me it is also a pleasure to address you for the first time in a debate on the Middle East, particularly because for the first time in many years it sounds a more cautiously optimistic note. So it is wonderful to be here and to share with you the Commission’s thoughts, which of course very much complement what Mr Solana said.
We also look to an improved political dialogue that will allow us to raise issues not only pertaining to the peace process but also to weapons of mass destruction. I shall be going to the region shortly and will take up these ideas with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Obviously, the parties themselves will have to do the main part of the work, in particular confidence-building. I can already see that there is a renewed willingness to do so. Israel can offer confidence-building measures, for instance on security cooperation, the release of prisoners, relaxing restrictions on movement, easing economic pressure, better enforcement of the rules of engagement and means of reducing the number of civilian causalities.
It is clear that the Palestinians must reciprocate or even anticipate actions on security issues. They must consolidate the intra-Palestinian ceasefire, address Israeli concerns that the ceasefire will not strengthen the extremists, collect illegal arms and close the tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
There are many things to be done but the most important is that the European Union should be united in its wish and will – as Javier Solana said – to help both sides to go down this avenue towards a peace that is worthy of being called peace. For that, we also look to the visit of President Bush and his team to Brussels on 22 February, where the Middle East peace process will be at the top of our agenda. If we can at least take some small steps forward there, then we will have a chance to work together, in parallel with the Americans, on the broader Middle East issue, something we are both committed to.
Indeed, there are very encouraging developments in the region. The President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Asselborn, has just visited Jerusalem and Gaza and he feels that both parties are moving forward, as Mr Solana has just outlined. Polls taken since the Palestinian elections also show that a growing majority of Palestinians and Israelis now support a peace process and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. That, per se, is a very important and encouraging development.
The presidential elections went very well. I am very grateful to and have a deep appreciation for Mr Michel Rocard, who has done a very good job under difficult circumstances, together with his team. I would also like to thank again the Election Observation Mission, along with Members of this Parliament who contributed to its success.
The political outcome of the election gives us reason for hope. Palestinian voters showed their desire for peace and democracy and the elections have now become a stimulus for a more democratic development of the region at large. At the same time we have taken good note of the election report and we will work with the Palestinians to iron out shortcomings in the election process, particularly when it comes to the independence of the Central Election Commission. We believe this is very important in the light of the forthcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
We share with Mr Solana the view that Abu Mazen is a credible partner for peace and a capable interlocutor for Palestinian institution-building, including the reform of the security structures. He has already shown leadership in the last few days with the deployment of police in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the restructuring of the security services and, as was reported in the media on Monday, agreeing with Palestinian factions on a cessation of attacks on Israel. That all adds up to a very cautiously positive movement.
It is important that the international community now acts quickly to support him. The Palestinian people are expecting tangible signs of progress: improving their social and economic situation, reconstituting respect for law and order, and progress on institution-building and reform. I can promise you that the European Commission will play its part.
I owe a lot to my predecessor, Mr Patten, who held up the Palestinian flag at very difficult moments. I also thank those of you in Parliament who supported him. I will continue to do this and especially now, when it is even more important, because it is the right moment to do more. I hope we will also have a chance to step up our cooperation on various projects.
In 2004 we allocated approximately EUR 250 million, and we will provide a similar amount in 2005. We will look very carefully at where our money is being spent.
We now have a new instrument, decided upon in December, in the form of the action plans under our Neighbourhood Policy. These contain political and also economic measures that will assist the peace process. They include trade facilitation, the promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, understanding and combating the devastating influence of incitement to hatred, the easing of access to and promotion of respect for international humanitarian law, and encouraging cooperation on very practical issues that we hope will lead to an improvement in living conditions – the environment, water, energy and transport."@sl19
".
Herr talman! För det första så instämmer jag i analysen från vår höge representant, Javier Solana. För mig är det också ett nöje att för första gången tala till er i en debatt om Mellanöstern, i synnerhet eftersom det för första gången på många år finns anledning att vara försiktigt optimistisk. Så det är underbart att vara här och att berätta om kommissionens tankar för er, vilka naturligtvis i mångt och mycket kompletterar det som Javier Solana sade.
Vi förlitar oss även på en förbättrad politisk dialog som ger oss möjlighet att inte bara ta upp frågor som rör fredsprocessen utan även frågor om massförstörelsevapen. Jag kommer att besöka regionen inom kort och kommer då att ta upp dessa frågor med palestinierna och israelerna. Naturligtvis är det parterna själva som måste göra största delen av jobbet, särskilt att skapa förtroende. Jag ser redan att det finns en förnyad vilja att göra detta. Israel kan erbjuda förtroendeskapande åtgärder, till exempel säkerhetssamarbete, frisläppande av fångar, ökad rörelsefrihet, lättnader i det ekonomiska trycket, en bättre efterlevnad av krigets regler och åtgärder för att minska antalet civila offer.
Det är uppenbart att palestinierna måste återgälda detta eller t.o.m. gå före med åtgärder när det gäller säkerhetsfrågor. De måste befästa den interna palestinska vapenvilan, hantera israeliska farhågor om att vapenvilan kommer att stärka extremisterna, samla in illegala vapen och stänga tunnlarna under gränsen mellan Gaza och Egypten.
Det finns många saker att göra men det viktigaste är att Europeiska unionen står enat i sin önskan och vilja att – som Javier Solana sade – hjälpa båda sidor att slå in på denna väg mot en fred som är värd namnet. För detta förlitar vi oss också på det besök i Bryssel som president George Bush och hans stab kommer att göra den 22 februari då fredsprocessen i Mellanöstern kommer att stå högst upp på dagordningen. Om vi åtminstone kan ta några små steg framåt där kommer vi att ha möjlighet att arbeta tillsammans med amerikanerna med den mer övergripande Mellanösternfrågan, något som vi båda är engagerade i.
Det pågår faktiskt en mycket uppmuntrande utveckling i regionen. Rådets tjänstgörande ordförande, Jean Asselborn, har just besökt Jerusalem och Gaza och han tycker att båda parter går framåt, vilket Javier Solana också just har beskrivit. Opinionsundersökningar som gjorts efter de palestinska valen visar också att en växande majoritet av palestinier och israeler nu stöder en fredsprocess och en fredlig lösning av konflikten baserat på tvåstatslösningen. Detta i sig är en mycket viktig och uppmuntrande utveckling.
Presidentvalet gick mycket bra. Jag är mycket tacksam mot Michel Rocard, som jag skattar högt. Tillsammans med sin grupp har han under besvärliga omständigheter gjort ett mycket bra jobb. Jag skulle också återigen vilja tacka valobservatörerna och ledamöterna av parlamentet. De har bidragit till att valet blev en framgång.
Valets politiska resultat gav oss anledning att hoppas. Palestinska väljare visade sin längtan efter fred och demokrati och valen har nu blivit en drivkraft för en mer demokratisk utveckling i hela regionen. Samtidigt har vi noga noterat valrapporten och vi kommer att arbeta tillsammans med palestinierna för att undanröja brister i valprocessen, särskilt när det gäller den centrala valkommitténs självständighet. Vi anser att detta är mycket viktigt med tanke på de kommande parlaments- och kommunalvalen.
Vi delar Javier Solanas åsikt att Mahmud Abbas är en trovärdig partner för fred och en kapabel samtalspartner för palestinsk institutionell uppbyggnad inklusive reformen av säkerhetsstrukturerna. Han har under de senaste dagarna redan visat prov på sitt ledarskap genom att skicka poliser till norra delen av Gazaremsan, omstrukturera säkerhetstjänsten och, vilket rapporterades i media på måndag, göra en överenskommelse med palestinska grupperingar om att upphöra med attackerna mot Israel. Allt detta sammantaget visar på en försiktigt positiv utveckling.
Det är viktigt att världssamfundet nu agerar snabbt för att stödja honom. Det palestinska folket väntar sig konkreta tecken på framsteg: en förbättring av deras sociala och ekonomiska situation, ett återupprättande av respekten för lag och ordning och framsteg när det gäller institutionell uppbyggnad och reformer. Jag kan lova er att Europeiska kommissionen kommer att göra sin del.
Jag har min företrädare, Chris Patten, att tacka för mycket. Han talade för palestinierna i mycket svåra stunder. Jag tackar även dem av er i parlamentet som stödde honom. Jag kommer att fortsätta i hans anda, speciellt nu när det är ännu viktigare eftersom tiden är inne för att göra mer. Jag hoppas att vi också kommer att få möjlighet till ökat samarbete inom olika projekt.
Under 2004 anslog vi ungefär 250 miljoner euro och vi kommer att avsätta ungefär samma summa under 2005. Vi kommer att mycket noggrant kontrollera vad våra pengar används till.
Vi har nu ett nytt instrument i form av de handlingsplaner inom ramen för den grannskapspolitik som vi fattade beslut om i december. Dessa innehåller politiska och även ekonomiska åtgärder som kommer att stödja fredsprocessen. De inkluderar att underlätta handeln, att främja ett gott styre och respekt för de mänskliga rättigheterna, att förstå och bekämpa den förödande uppviglingen till hat, att underlätta tillgång till och främjande av respekten för internationell humanitär lag och att uppmuntra samarbete när det gäller väldigt praktiska frågor, miljö, vatten, energi och transport. Allt detta hoppas vi kommer att leda till en förbättring av levnadsvillkoren."@sv21
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