15/01/2010 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 15.01.2010 – Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) rapporteur on the situation in the Middle East, will visit the Territories under the Palestinian Authority as well as Israel, with a view to the debate on the situation in the Middle East which is foreseen during the next PACE plenary session (25–29 January 2010).
Meetings are scheduled on 17-18 January in Ramallah with the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister Salam Faiad, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al- Malki, the Minister of Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqi', and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
On 19-20 January, talks are scheduled in Israel with President Simon Perez, the Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Ayalon, the Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, the former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, as well as members of the Knesset.
Among the issues to be discussed, the rapporteur will raise the question of the Assembly’s further contribution to the continuation of a parliamentary dialogue with the participation of both parties concerned and members of the Parliamentary Assembly.
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Mr Fassino will give a press conference at the end of the visit (date, time and place to be confirmed).
Contact: PACE Communication Division, tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93