Minister Cowen meets Israel’s Foreign Minister
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., met with Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Silvan Shalom in Tel Aviv today.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting Minister Cowen said:
"My visit to the region, as EU Presidency, is to emphasise the commitment of the Union to the peace process. Yesterday's suicide bombing, which I unreservedly condemned, only underlines the need to move forward in the peace process.
The current state of that process is a matter of great concern. It will be a priority of the Irish Presidency to do all we can to give impetus to the Roadmap and to the work of the international Quartet.
Minister Shalom and I have had a useful and informative exchange of views across a wide range of issues, including prospects for a ceasefire, a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers, the Security Barrier and Syria.
We also considered Israel's relations with the European Union, both in the context of the new Wider Europe initiative and the established Barcelona Process. I look forward to welcoming Minister Shalom to Dublin in May for the EuroMed Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting."
Minister Cowen also met with Prime Minister Sharon and paid a courtesy call on President Katsav.
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Peace proposals and efforts, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 15/01/2004