Federal Chancellor Schüssel: "EU supports Palestine, but must have certain guarantees"
Federal Chancellor Schüssel, President of the Council of the EU, today received the President of the Palestinian Authority on an official working visit to Vienna. The discussions centred on the situation in Palestine and the Middle East.
"The European Union wishes to help the Palestinian people. We have confidence in the President, and the Palestinian people are our friends. We respect the result of the elections of 25 January and recognise Hamas’ victory. However, every democratically legitimised government must observe certain principles in order to gain international respect. It is important for the European Union and Austria to be able to work together with the Palestinian people on the basis of certain principles. Our message is that mutual recognition on the part of Israel and Palestine is indispensable.
We insist on the policy of non-violence and the laying down of arms.
Compliance with international agreements must be guaranteed, to permit work to continue on the basis of the road map", Schüssel said. He added that the desire for peace in Israel was very great.
Both sides had to renounce violence. "The basic precondition for peace is trust, which must now be established", according to Schüssel.
The European Union is the biggest donor of financial and other assistance in Palestine. “We do not plan to cut financial assistance. We want to invest in the future of the Palestinian people. But we need guarantees, as we are accountable to the European Parliament and the national parliaments", Schüssel commented.
"In difficult times, there is a need for people who can assume leadership. I am convinced that President Abbas is just such a person. He has firm, unshakeable principles for his people and his country and he is prepared to build bridges and cross bridges that have already been built. I appeal to the media and to the international community to place in the President the trust that is essential to the future of the peace process", Schüssel said.
President Abbas declared himself in favour of standing by existing agreements and of continuing the peace process with Israel. New solutions had to be found. "The Palestinian people still believe in the path of dialogue even after the victory of Hamas. We have a parliamentary system of government, and we want to continue on the road to peace. Talks are in progress between Fatah and Hamas on forming a joint government, for it is important to find a common position. We will take up the negotiations again after the elections in Israel and also continue the dialogue with Israel. I am convinced that this is the way ahead", President Abbas concluded.
Country: Austria
Subject: Assistance, Peace process
Publication Date: 14/03/2006