Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-042"
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"en.20050223.5.3-042"2
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".
Mr President, I should like to assure the House that we are very determined to improve cooperation with the Mediterranean countries. This applies to the Euro-Mediterranean platform that has been in existence for ten years, the Action Plans and of course to the Mediterranean peace process also.
We gave EUR 320 million to Iraq last year, particularly for health, education and basic needs. We have just mentioned another EUR 200 million that we want to give to support the population and the constitutional process. We are ready to designate experts that could work together with the United Nations.
We want to help in the integrated mission for police training, and for training connected with justice and the rule of law in order to enhance institution-building. We are also working to build up the ministries of trade and energy. I am ready to join my colleagues from the Council and Mr Solana in a Troika and go to the region to support the Iraqis as soon as a new government is in place. Yesterday, a new international coordination conference involving the Americans was announced. That is an excellent idea for creating a stable and prosperous Iraq in the future.
It is true that we have to do everything so that this small, first step of the peace process can be consolidated, and it must be consolidated on both sides. Mahmoud Abbas has to dismantle the terrorist structures and get rid of illegal arms and the tunnels. The other side must make an effort too. I gave both leaders this clear message. The Israelis have to do everything possible as well. First they have to release prisoners, giving the Palestinians confidence so that they do not use weapons any more. The Israelis must also go back to the table. They must guarantee freedom of movement for the Palestinian people and for goods. Only when the economy starts to flourish can there be a chance for real peace in the Middle East.
As Mr Brok and Mr Laschet mentioned, we now have to do everything to support this peace process, including politically, within the Quartet. I am very proud to be a new member of that. The next quartet meeting will be held in London. There we can go on supporting this process, step by step. Yesterday we talked about it with Condoleezza Rice and President Bush. They have now nominated a security coordinator for the area to help address future incidents. This is important in order for the process to continue.
The Gaza disengagement will be very difficult. It will now be a coordinated disengagement. Sharon has already said this. This has been one of the long-standing challenges. Now it is a promise. We must make financial efforts, too, and give the Palestinians everything.
I also want to pay tribute to my predecessor, because he supported the Palestinian Authority in very difficult circumstances. I particularly wanted to mention that. I want to do the same, but of course in a transparent way. 'Quick Start' projects can be started up on top of what we are already doing as soon as the withdrawal from Gaza begins.
We provide help in the fields of education, health and job creation, and we often work with UNRWA. We will also start up investment projects, for instance with the sea port. I have already announced this. So, you can see we are not taking this process lightly. On the contrary, we take it very seriously.
My colleague from the Council has already gone into great detail with regard to Lebanon. For us, it is very important to show Lebanon that now, the first steps towards a democratic process must be consolidated by elections. We are currently considering different options, including election observation and support, but negotiations in that regard are still ongoing with the Lebanese. We hope we can make progress.
Yesterday, we talked about the broader Middle East with Condoleezza Rice. This is an excellent opportunity to use the momentum that is there to move ahead with the peace process, our neighbourhood policy, the Barcelona Process and the new American engagement to aim for the same goals. All this must be done in parallel. We want to make use of what we have already done.
We have given an enormous amount of money under the MEDA Programme. At the end of 2004, EUR 1002 million was committed in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, including EUR 160 million for Iraq. With regard to Iraq, payments amounted to EUR 1 125 million. In 2004 we committed about EUR 700 million and paid EUR 800 million, so the payments/commitments ratio is 115%. Improved performance goes hand in hand with the enhancement of the quality of programmes. I appeal to you to support us when it comes to the financial perspectives and the European neighbourhood policy instrument. That is the instrument that will really help us to act."@en1
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