Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-07-Speech-3-165"
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"en.20050907.18.3-165"2
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".
Mr President, you have just told one of the honourable Members of this House that you are terribly sorry, but it is time to stop. I fear that you may soon be terribly sorry because it is time for me to start the wind-up to this debate.
Mr McMillan-Scott spoke of both the Egyptian elections – as did Mr Tannock – and also of the words of the Secretary of State of the United States, Condoleezza Rice, at a recent speech at the American University in Cairo. I noted with interest the points he made regarding democracy and human rights, later echoed by Mr Hökmark.
Mrs De Keyser raised the issue of the Israeli barrier. The best response I can offer on behalf of the Presidency is to quote directly to her the clear view of the June European Council on this matter: 'The European Council, while recognising the right of Israel to protect its citizens from attacks, remains concerned by the continuing construction of the separation barrier in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is contrary to the provisions of international law.'
Mrs Ries spoke of the need to turn the military withdrawal we have seen in recent days into a political success, expressing sentiments reiterated by Mr Portas. Of course, that is true. I agree that after disengagement, it will be important to ensure that momentum is maintained and that both Israel and the Palestinians focus on implementation of the roadmap.
It will also be important for the Palestinian Authority to ensure that law and order is maintained in Gaza. Conditions on access and on trade must allow economic growth and stability for the Gaza economy, a point made by a number of honourable Members, but equally allow for Israel to have security from militant or terrorist attacks, which is its right.
Mrs Hybášková raised the issue of Iran and in particular the issue of diplomatic sanctions being applied. It is important to remind this House that the IAEA board meets on 19 September. The European Union has said that it will support calls for Iran to be reported to the United Nations Security Council at that meeting, but we are discussing the next step with our international partners. It is therefore important to await the discussions that will take place first at the IAEA board meeting on 19 September and I would not wish to anticipate those discussions at this time.
One of my colleagues from the United Kingdom, Mr Howitt, brought his experience as an electoral observer to his contribution to our debate this afternoon. He spoke powerfully, I would argue, about what he described, somewhat tactfully, as the uncomfortable truths that endure, even after the recent withdrawal. He is right to acknowledge the scale of the challenge faced by the region, as well as the scale of the achievement that has been accomplished. He recognised, rightly again, the contribution that we have to make and the responsibility that we bear as a member of the Quartet to make further progress and to sustain hope and banish cynicism, which has been too common in the past.
Mr Karim raised the issue of the barrier, and I would simply reiterate the point I made in relation to the stated position of the European Council as recently as June. I would remind the honourable Member that Article 2 of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement states that: 'Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.' I can assure the honourable Member that where we have concerns about Israeli actions on human rights, we will raise – and have raised – those concerns with the Israeli Government.
The European Union also uses the opportunity to raise issues of concern, including human rights, at the EU-Israel Association Council. We will consider in due course what issues to raise in advance of the EU-Israel Association Council scheduled to be held at the end of our Presidency at the end of this year.
I listened carefully to Mr Kasoulides and I assure him that we will share the objective of maintaining the momentum for peace in the months ahead. Mr Swoboda spoke of the need for a coordinated approach to address the issue of proliferation. Although I speak today on behalf of the Presidency rather than the British Government, I would simply point out at this stage, as a serving minister in the British Foreign Office, that to date the E3 process has been a powerful affirmation of that approach, whereby a coordinated approach has been secured across Europe, which has strengthened our hand in the important and difficult discussions that have had to take place directly with Iran in recent months.
Mr Pinior paid tribute to Israel's step in withdrawing from Gaza and I once again echo that sentiment on behalf of the Presidency. As well as discussing the issue of Egypt – of which I have already spoken – Mr Tannock raised the issue of the Constitution for Iraq. This is an achievement. Indeed, in the official briefing I received in preparation for today's debate, it was suggested that I should tell this august body that constitutions are never the easiest things to write. I need hardly make that point to the European Parliament in light of recent events. But, to be entirely serious, it is important to recognise how challenging the achievement of a constitution has been in Iraq, against a backdrop of nearly 30 years of tyranny and in the face of ongoing terrorist attacks on innocent people designed specifically to prevent them reaching agreement. In a country as diverse as Iraq, surely that is all the more so the case.
Firstly, it has been an important and timely debate for Parliament this afternoon. I am genuinely grateful for the insights that have been garnered in our debate that reflect the experience and expertise of Members of this House.
It is important, therefore, that we remember those points, but also that this is an Iraqi Constitution, written by democratically elected Iraqi politicians on behalf of their people. It works to balance that country's distinctive traditions – which, frankly, are very different from our own within Europe – with its desire for democracy. It is a huge step forward for Iraq and one that should be welcomed.
On behalf of the Presidency, let me thank all those honourable Members who have participated today, pay tribute to the contribution of the Commission earlier in the debate and express my gratitude for the points raised in what I believe will continue to be an important subject and focus of our work in the remaining months of our Presidency.
Mr Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra began by echoing the points made by Commissioner Verheugen, recognising the hopeful signs that have emerged over recent months within the region. I can assure him that the Presidency is very aware of the key role that the European Union can play as part of the Quartet in advancing the peace process. Let me, however, at this stage reiterate a point that was made by the Commissioner in his introductory remarks in paying tribute not to a European, but to an American, James Wolfensohn, who has already made a tremendous contribution to the work of the Quartet and indeed to the successful withdrawal from Gaza that we have seen in recent days.
Mrs Napoletano, in stating her abhorrence of terrorism, echoed sentiments that I am sure are felt by all of us in this House. That is why we recognise the importance of building on the momentum that has been established in the region in recent months and why I believe that there is a shared determination between the Commission, the Council and this Parliament to take forward that momentum in the weeks and months ahead.
Ms Malmström recognised the importance of human rights in Iran. Let me assure her that we are aware that serious violations of human rights continue to occur within that country. The Council is especially concerned about the number of executions of juvenile offenders in recent weeks. The European Council is clear that our relations with Iran can only move forward if Iran takes action to address our political concerns in areas such as human rights, which she highlighted in her speech.
Mr Hammerstein Mintz talked of Gaza representing 'a light of hope'. Let us all hope that that is what it proves to be. Our challenge now, as I have always made clear, is to continue to advance the peace process. Disengagement offers the prospect of Israel withdrawing settlements from Gaza and part of the West Bank for the first time in history. This is a real opportunity for progress. However, on the specific point made by the honourable Member about Jerusalem, the European Union has continually made its view clear on settlement activity, not just in the West Bank, but also in East Jerusalem. We have made clear to the Government of Israel that all settlement activity should be frozen.
Mr Adamou described withdrawal as a significant step, but recognised the equally significant challenges ahead. I would simply reiterate that the long-term objective for the European Commission is assistance to support the creation, as was suggested, of an independent democratic Palestinian state. That continues to be one of our key objectives.
Mr Belder quoted the High Representative, Javier Solana, when he spoke of his concerns regarding the activities of Hamas and Hezbollah. I can assure you that the European Union keeps the status of Hamas and Hezbollah under constant review and the European Union stands firm in its policy of not dealing with terrorists. Hamas is subject to a European Union asset freeze and European Union officials will not meet members of the Hamas leadership until it recognises Israel's right to exist.
Mr Mölzer spoke on various points with which I find myself frankly not in agreement, both as regards some of the issues that he focused on and his characterisation of some of the other issues. Where we were able to find common ground was on the possibility of the European Union making the advancement of the Middle East peace process one of its objectives in an area where we can make a positive contribution. At least on that there was agreement between us."@en1
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