Brussels, 29 January 2009
EMPA President, Hans-Gert Pöttering, will lead a delegation to Gaza end of
February 2009
The Bureau of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA)* decided to send a delegation to Gaza on 23 and 24 February 2009 to assess the immediate needs of the civilian population in an objective manner, said Hans-Gert Pöttering who chaired today's meeting in Brussels.
The delegation of parliamentarians from both sides of the Mediterranean will be led by Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament and President of the EMPA, and will include the chairpersons of the various EMPA committees.
Rebuilding Gaza
The assessment of humanitarian needs and the rebuilding of Gaza will be at the centre of the delegation's fact finding mission to the region. The delegation will visit Gaza under the auspices of UNWRA, the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. MEPs and MPs are also expected to meet high ranking representatives from the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Hans-Gert Pöttering summing up the Bureau meeting said: "Despite the difficult situation, we are here today united, aware of our common responsibility in getting the peace process back on track. Politically and ethically we are bound to not only believe in a peaceful and lasting peace solution for the Middle East, but to work towards it. We have to help the people of Gaza by opening the borders, while preventing Hamas from arming again. We are in favour of peace and resolutely against terrorism. The Bureau of EMPA asks the Quartet (European Union, United Stated, United Kingdom and Russia) to engage with determination in a peace process leading to a settlement under the auspices of the United Nations, and strongly calls on all partners to support such an initiative without reservation".
EMPA March plenary session in Brussels
The Bureau also adopted today the agenda of the March (16-17) annual plenary session to be held in the European Parliament's premises in Brussels. High level political interlocutors are expected to attend. The situation in the Middle-East and the impact of the economic crisis in the Mediterranean region will take centre stage.
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Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA), European Parliament
Subject: Assistance, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Incursions, Quartet
Publication Date: 29/01/2009