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Israel stresses direct talks as EU ministers endorse French initiative
The European Union’s (EU) Foreign Affairs Council, comprising the 28 foreign ministers of the EU’s member states, has endorsed the multi-lateral peace initiative being spearheaded by France.
Following yesterday’s meeting in Brussels, the EU Foreign Affairs Council released a statement saying that it “welcomes the Joint Communiqué on the Middle East peace initiative adopted at the Ministerial meeting in Paris on 3 June 2016” and “reiterates its support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and peace and stability in the region”.
The Council also reiterated an offer from December 2013, pledging “an unprecedented package of political, economic and security support to be offered to and developed with both parties in the context of a final-status agreement”. The proposal included an offer to upgrade Israel’s diplomatic status to a “special and preferred partner” of the EU.
However, a statement from Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed Israeli concerns over the French initiative, saying “peace with the Palestinians will be achieved only through two-way, direct negotiations without preconditions”. The Ministry said that such international conferences “distances peace because it enables the Palestinians to continue to avoid direct negotiations and compromise”.
Meanwhile, EU Foreign Affairs chief Federica Mogherini said yesterday that a report by the Quartet (US, EU, Russia and UN) on the deadlock between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will be published “in the next few days”. The report is expected to be critical of both sides. Mogherini is scheduled to meet Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin this week, who is visiting Belgium.
Earlier this year, France’s Foreign Minister announced his country’s intention to host an international conference with the goal of agreeing the implementation of a two-state solution. An initial preparatory meeting of ministers from interested countries, but excluding Israeli and Palestinian representatives, took place in Paris earlier this month. Israel’s leaders have consistently repeated their position that only direct bilateral talks between Israel and the PA, without pre-conditions, can advance peace.