Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-07-05-Speech-3-074"
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"en.20060705.3.3-074"2
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".
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, as we all very well know, there have been very dramatic developments in the situation in the Palestinian territories in the last week. The capture of an Israeli soldier and the ensuing Israeli operation has been followed keenly by us all. We have also been concerned about the continuing firing of Kassam rockets at Israel from Gaza. As the situation in the region is still very serious, I would like, in this first speech of mine in the European Parliament, to focus on expressing the views of the European Union on the prevailing crisis.
Right at the start I want to say that yesterday in Helsinki the Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister, Erkki Tuomioja, discussed the situation in the region with Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Livni. Mr Tuomioja was also in telephone contact with Palestinian President Abbas and the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Aboul Gheit. The EU Special Representative, Marc Otte, has also been in the region this week and he has been in contact with various parties.
It is important that the Palestinians release the captured Israeli soldier immediately. The Palestinian administration must also bring to an end the continued onslaught of Kassam rockets on Israel from Gaza. Israel, for its part, must cease its military operation. The Union’s firm line on this is that any action that goes against international law must be stopped. We should also point out that we cannot accept disproportionate action or action that punishes the entire population.
We in the Union are especially concerned about the suffering of civilians. It is important to say that it is the duty of both parties to protect civilians. We also know that the humanitarian situation in the region was already problematic earlier on, and that will suffer even more now with the destruction of the infrastructure, such as the power station in Gaza. This did not just result in problems of the supply of electric power but also water supply and sewerage. Hospitals, too, for example, are suffering the consequences of the bombing of the power station. We also condemn Israel’s attacks on the Palestinian administration’s infrastructure. In this connection it has to be made clear that the European Union will not automatically act as paymaster when the reconstruction starts.
Neither can we accept that Israel has detained numerous Palestinian ministers and members of parliament. They must be released, or at least guaranteed a fair trial.
What the Quartet formerly set out as its demands with regard to the Hamas-led Palestinian Government still holds good. The Palestinian Government must recognise the following principles: non-violence, the recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and compliance with existing agreements and obligations.
In this connection I would like to refer to the understanding reached between Hamas and Fatah based on the ‘Prisoners’ Document’. In a situation in which bad relations between Fatah and Hamas seemed to be reaching an acute stage, one that threatened peace, reaching an understanding in this way was a step in the right direction, although it does not as yet mean that the EU’s conditions and those of the Quartet are adequately met.
How are we to come through the present crisis? The European Union emphasises that the crisis can only be resolved through discussions. Regarding the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, it was a promising move that Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas met about two weeks ago. It was also promising that they decided to meet again soon. A speedy return to this path of maintaining contact and negotiations is very important. It is only the path of negotiation that can lead to a permanent and lasting peace.
Although the chances of initiating a peace process once again seem very slight in the prevailing circumstances, the idea of a two-state model must be kept alive. Weapons and unilateral action will not bring peace. The European Union and Finland, as the country to hold the Presidency, are committed to helping both sides to reach a peace settlement."@en1
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