Restarting the peace process – EU High Representative for the CFSP Solana’s press remarks after meeting with Israeli FM Livni – EU press release/Non-UN document

Brussels, 3 September 2007

S238/07

Summary of remarks by Javier SOLANA,

EU High Representative for CFSP,

following his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), met today the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem. The High Representative visited Israel as part of an ongoing trip to the region. At their meeting they discussed a range of topics, including the situation in the region and the Israeli-Arab peace process, Iran and the situation in Lebanon.

At a joint press briefing following the meeting with Foreign Minister Livni Mr. Solana made the subsequent remarks:

Mr. Solana said he had had a very constructive meeting with Minister Livni held during his visit to the region to prepare for an intensive period of activity in the coming months and at restarting the peace process. He pointed to the meeting of the ad hoc liaison committee and the Quartet meeting during the UN General Assembly week in New York and the international conference to take place in the late autumn. Mr. Solana said "we don't know exactly when the conference will take place but it must be a success. We can not allow it to fail and we must therefore define success". The High Representative said the EU would help and cooperate as much as possible in the preparations of the event.

Referring to today's qassam rocket attack on a kindergarten in Sderot on the first day of term Mr. Solana said "I would like to offer my solidarity to the people of Sderot and I condemn the rocket attack on a school today".

Asked about EU support for operations in Gaza to stop the rockets Mr. Solana said "Israel has our solidarity in fighting terrorism. Sometimes we do not agree 100% on exactly how to combat it but we offer our full solidarity with Israel in it's efforts to fight terrorism".

Asked about contacts with Hamas Mr. Solana reiterated the EU's position "I would like to repeat the EU position: there will not be any contacts between the EU and Hamas. This position is not new and we have maintained it for a long time".

_____________