Euro-Mediterranean Partnership conference opens – EU press release/Non-UN document

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership conference opens

IRAKLIO (ANA) – Greek Foreign Minster George Papandreou, who is chairing a Euro-Mediterranean foreign ministers meeting which opened here on Monday afternoon, said upon his arrival at Iraklio airport that one of the meeting’s major targets was to create the conditions for a strong Euro-Mediterranean partnership, especially following the Iraq war and the new Road Map for the Middle East.

He added that the Road Map "is a great help in getting the peace process off the ground, a process which would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005. The conference is a major chance to sum up whatever we have achieved so far and review new challenges".

Referring to the European Union, Papandreou, who currently presides over the EU General Affairs Council, underlined that the Union was currently in continued contact with the remaining members of the ‘quartet’ (Russia, US, United Nations) and was ready to undertake any role it would be required to, and keenly support the ME Road Map.

With regard to the Palestinian issue, he noted that there is an in principle agreement between the two parties – Israel and the Palestinian Authority, in spite of both parties’ reservations.

"We have not reached the point to have achieved a comprehensive settlement" we need clear steps to arrive at the desirable point," Papandreou said.

Ref: CL03-198EN

EU source: Council

UN forum: 

Date: 26/5/2003