EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana calls for violence to stop during visit to Israel – EU press release/Non-UN document

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Javier SOLANA,

EU High Representative for CFSP,

calls for violence to stop during his visit to Israel

Israel, 21 and 22 May 2007

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), yesterday met the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi LIVNI, in Sderot. Today, in Jerusalem, he had a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Amir PERETZ.

At the beginning of this four-day trip to the region, during which he will also visit Lebanon, Egypt, and the Palestinian Territories, the High Representative spoke with the press on two occasions. He condemned the violence and insisted on the need to create the conditions for a political horizon:

"The violence must stop in all theatres. I hope we can create the conditions for a horizon of peace. We need a political dialogue to solve the crisis. We want to help calm the situation and see if it is possible to move in establishing a political perspective. This is the only solution."

The High Representative left for Beirut where he will be meeting Prime Minister Siniora and the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri.

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