During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), Victor BOSTINARU (S&amp;D, RO) and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, NL)&nbsp; express theselves on the prospects for resuming peace talks in the Middle East

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

peace process in the Middle East (T)

Prospects for resuming peace talks in the Middle East: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, We still believe that the only possible solution is the two states solution. We still believe that the current settlement policy, including the regularisation law threatens the viability of the two states.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ian BORG, With this new law the Israeli parliament has legislated on the legal status of land within the occupied Palestinian territories. This is an issue that remains behind its jurisdictions. Should it be implemented, the law inferred and finch the one state reality, a reality of unequal rights, perpetual occupation and conflict. For these reasons the High representative has called on Israel to refrain from implementing the law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ian BORG, It is clear that the new US administration is still in the process of defining its foreign policy. We have a duty to engage with them on the basis of our values, and our interests, working to preserve international unity and to avoid any inflammatory moves. The situation in the region is incredibly delicate, and fragile. A peaceful solution of this conflict or even progress on that direction could set a whole new paradigm for cooperation in the region including on security.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), We are making a step back to the discussion we have had already in November on the issue of the West bank and the settlements. My profound conviction is that we are on the wrong track, and the reasons are very straight forward. Once again we are committed to moving down one way street, that means we are concentrating on one single aspect of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, i.e. the settlements, when actually we know that its a very complex situation, a multifaceted problem , that you cannot just reduce down to one issue, even that is very important one. Nevertheless there are more important issues such as the security, the borders, the Jerusalem, the refugees and so on. But we don&rsquo;t say anything about those things. We are making two times wrong way because that also means that we will be alienating Israel which remains an important partner, and we have to underline once again that it is the only democracy in the region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), The EU and the world won&rsquo;t give up on the peace process between Israeli and Palestinians. We simply cannot afford the tensions to rise again. The two states solution with the state of Israel and the state of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and the mutual recognition of the borders along 67, with the mutually agreed land swaps and Jerusalem as the capital of both states, remain the only hope for peace and the cornerstone of our political position and action.

SOUNDBITE (French), Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, NL), Please let me just to read from the EU Official Journal, dated 12/11/2015: &ldquo;Regarding to the international law the Golan Heights and Cisjordania - including East Jerusalem - are not part of the Israeli territory&rdquo;. So the indication &lsquo;produced in Israel&rsquo;, is considered to be false, and susceptible to induce in to error, according to the law (if products are made on these territories). You know that behind the words we are using regularly, the EP and the EC demanded to be forbidden the importation of products of which the indication of origin of the merchandise issued from occupied territories since June 1967 is not mentioned.

Mr Minister, I will not propose you to drink with me this bottle, as you will became guilty of infraction. This is a product you can buy in France and in Belgium, free to import, which is produced in Katzrin, or Katzrin in the Golan Heights, it is an occupied territory, it doesn&rsquo;t have the right to have the label &lsquo;product of Israel&rsquo;. When will you make the law respected?!