17/11/2009 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 17.11.2009 - “Over the last two months, the process of negotiation in the Middle East has weakened despite the Obama administration’s recent efforts to draw the Israeli and Palestinian sides together,” Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), PACE rapporteur on the situation in the Middle East, stressed today in Brussels at a meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Middle East.
The most acute problem is the matter of stopping further establishment of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which President Abu Mazen considers a precondition for continuing the dialogue with the Israelis; the Government of Israel for its part is ready to halt only the new settlements only but not those decided upon earlier, the rapporteur said, describing recent developments in the region.
“Dialogue is essential for restarting the Middle East peace process, and both sides must be determined to restore it. The international community must also step up its efforts to reconcile the opponents,” Mr Fassino added, “hence the importance of the Tripartite Forum established by PACE, which provides the members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), of the Knesset and of the PACE with a framework for frankly debating issues and fostering an atmosphere of trust between the two parties.”
The Sub-Committee on the Middle East is due to meet on 3 and 4 March 2010 in Turkey, at the invitation of the Turkish Parliament, with the participation of Knesset and PLC members, to prepare for the next Forum.