Mideast situation/Palestine question – LAS Secretary General receives EU Envoy for Mideast peace process Mark Otte – LAS Press release/Non-UN document

Secretary General Receives EU's Envoy for Peace Process (6-3-2005) 

Secretary General Amre Moussa of the Arab League of States has received EU's Envoy Mark Otte for peace process in the Middle East.

Official Spokesman Hossam Zaki of the Arab League Secretary General said the meeting has been held within the ongoing consultation between the Arab League and European Union over the most important developments in the region.
During the meeting, the European Envoy has briefed Secretary General Moussa on the bids maintained by the EU, in coordination with the Palestinian side, at various economic and security scopes that had been tackled during the London meeting, Zaki said. He signaled the aim of which as to enable the Palestinian side benefit from the outcomes of implementing the Gaza Pullout Plan and other moves that must be followed by the Roadmap Implementation Plan.

Zaki further said Secretary General Moussa has stressed that the International Quartet Committee must deal seriously with the factual risks of the Israeli occupational existence around Jerusalem and allover the West Bank. Moussa has also reiterated that Israel's continuation of constructing the wall must be faced with decisive measures as both actions by Israel would totally destroy the possibility of creating a factual Palestinian state. In the same context, Moussa has also stressed that the USA must assume its responsibility if the Arab-Israeli conflict is meant to be brought to an end and settled upon just and fair basis.

Secretary General Moussa has also tackled with the EU's envoy a number of ideas and concepts related to regional security and the means by which to reach a regional system that would provide security to all states of the region, not just to one party at the expense of others, Zaki said stating that both officials have agreed to maintain consultation over the subject important issue. He further said Secretary General Moussa has discussed with the international official the developments related to the Lebanese issue in view of the speech made by the Syrian President yesterday eve. In this context, Secretary General Moussa has stressed that the ideas and steps included in the Syrian President's speech reflect a positive orientation by Syria and takes into consideration the special nature of the Syrian-Lebanese relations a matter that the international community should in turn bear in mind.

On the other hand, as Spokesman Zaki said, Envoy Otte has notified Secretary General Moussa that High Representative Javier Solana of the EU for the Common Foreign and Security Policy would attend the upcoming Arab Summit in Algeria upon the invitation addressed to him.