Arafat Urges EU to Get Peace Process Back on Track

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 18, 2002

Arafat Urges EU to Get Peace Process Back on Track

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Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Thursday urged the European Union to help bring the stalled Middle East peace process back on track and implement the signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

Arafat said in a joint news conference held here with visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique that his country is at the head of the European Union, that he [Arafat] welcomes any effort of the EU to push forward the peace process.

"Especially after the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana had participated in Mitchell committee that prepared Mitchell report's recommendations," said Arafat.

Arafat reiterated his commitment he made in a speech on December 16 related to stopping all attacks on Israel, ceasefire and resuming peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Asked if the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) or he [Arafat], are involved in the arms-laden "Karine A" ship that was captured by Israel in the Red Sea on January 3, Arafat said that there is no relation at all with either the ship or with Iran.

"Despite all of this we had formed an internal inquiry panel to investigate what is the relation between those names mentioned and the ship," said Arafat. "We call upon the EU if they want to share the investigation with us."

Arafat criticized the Israeli government for being uncommitted to the ceasefire dealing, adding that Israeli wanted seven days of calmness, and there were 24 days of calmness "and Israel continued closure and assassination."

Pique said that he welcomes the efforts exerted by the PNA, adding that all parties must share obligations in pushing forward the peace process and implementing the signed agreements.

"Every one of us knows that the situation is very difficult," said Pique. "We have to make painful and difficult political decisions. We in The EU evaluate all efforts to fight terrorism," said Pique.

He told reporters that the EU has several ideas and proposals to renew the peace process, end violence and resume the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

"The EU guaranteed to work side by side with the United States and other international and Arab parties in order to work together to find the way to achieve peace," said Pique.

The Spanish foreign minister, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU, is on a Middle East tour that involves Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian areas and Israel.

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