EU ARABS VOICE HOPE

EU, Arab leaders voice hopes of breakthrough for Mideast peace
by Pia Ohlin NOV 28,2006

TAMPERE, Finland (AFP) - European Union and Arab leaders have voiced hopes of a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process, following recent statements by Israel and Hamas and a three-day old ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There is a latent hope based on the recent developments between Israel and the Palestinians, the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Mussa, said Tuesday after a meeting between EU and Mediterranean region foreign ministers in Finland.The so-called Euromed conference in Tampere has been dominated by the situation in the Middle East.Nabil Shaath, a special envoy for Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, agreed with Mussa's assessment, saying the chances of renewing the peace process had improved in recent days.

A few days ago these prospects did not exist, today there are prospects, he said.Both Shaath and Mussa cited the ceasefire implemented at the weekend between Israel and the Palestinians, and a speech by Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday indicating Hamas was ready to agree to a Palestinian state within 1967 borders seen as an implicit recognition of Israel's statehood.They also noted an offer by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to tear down
settlements and pull out of the Palestinian territories.This would be a good point of departure, Mussa said.Shaath added: If the ceasefire is consolidated, followed by an exchange of prisoners and the immediate cessation of the siege of the Palestinian people ... this will lead directly back to the negotiating table.Among the Mediterranean countries participating at the Euromed meeting were Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco,Syria, Turkey, Tunisia and the Palestinians.

Late Monday the host of the meeting, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, said discussions on the Middle East had been characterized by a very clear sense of hope.If this atmosphere continues then for the first time for a very long time I feel slightly optimistic and confident of the prospects for peace, he said.Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said there was a common European-Arab position when it comes to the need to urgently ... seize the moment to push forward the peace process.European sources at the meeting cited Hamas' acceptance of a state within the 1967 borders as the main topic of discussion during bilateral talks.The declaration was an implicit recognition of Israel's existence, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.

There are windows of opportunity and we must seize them. We must not miss them, he warned.European and Arab officials stressed the importance of a Palestinian government of national unity, which would stabilize the Palestinian political situation and facilitate a
meeting between Abbas and Olmert.

The EU, Israel and the United States have boycotted the Hamas administration since it took office in March owing to the radical Islamist movement's refusal to recognise the Jewish state and past peace agreements. Shaath said it would take another two weeks or so to form the unity government. In a rare event, participants at the Euromed meeting agreed on a joint declaration after overcoming the usual discord between Israeli and Palestinian points of view. Delegates called for a solution to the conflict in line with the so-called roadmap, drafted by the United States, EU, Russia and the United Nations, which outlines steps toward establishing a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel. Partners reaffirmed their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict including land for peace and based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the roadmap, they said.