EU General Affairs and External Relations Council – Summary of discussion on Middle East peace process/Assistance to the Palestinian people – EU press release/Non-UN document

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

9947/06 (Presse 126)

PROVISIONAL VERSION

PRESS RELEASE

2737th Council Meeting

General Affairs and External Relations

External Relations

Luxembourg, 12 June 2006

President:         Ms Ursula PLASSNIK
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria

* Some external relations items were adopted without debate at the 2736 meeting on General Affairs (9947/06).

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MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS – Council conclusions

Over lunch, ministers discussed the Middle East peace process with a view to the 15-16 June European Council meeting on the basis of a presentation by High Representative Solana who visited the region on 4-5 June. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner informed ministers on the state of preparations on the establishment of a temporary international mechanism designed to ensure direct delivery and supervision of assistance to the Palestinian people.

Following the expression by the Middle East Quartet of its willingness to endorse such a mechanism, the EU is working urgently to develop it in consultation with international financial institutions and other key partners.

The European Council on 15-16 June is expected to adopt a declaration on the Middle East peace process.

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