For the Italian MEP if Turkey feels abandoned over EU membership, it will try to impose its leadership over the Middle East. The current humanitarian boat crisis bears this out, and no-one can be sure if this is good news for Europe.

MEP Panzeri rings the alarm bells

Antonio Panzeri, welcome. You have just   returned from a trip to the Middle East,

from Israel and the occupied territories.

You got back just before   the attack on the aid flotilla.

First of all, what is your impression   of the situation on the ground?

irrespective of the recent attack   on the flotilla.

And it's complicated by the fact that,   if negotiations are interrupted,

there'll be a climate of open hostility.

because the Israelis continue   to build settlements

Let's talk about   your delegation's mission there.

The impression is that European aid,   which is substantial,

500 million euros were raised in 2008,   I believe...

As far as I was able to ascertain,   this aid is being put to full use,

in the areas around Nablus,   Ramallah and so on.

And we've said publicly and explicitly   that Europe must sustain this aid.

In fact, a request has been made   for an increase in our contributions

and I believe this should be given   serious consideration.

Aid is closely, intimately linked   to the peace process.

the situation in the Palestinian territories   will become much more difficult.

It would drive many people to the brink.

How can Europe make an impact,   now that we have a Foreign Affairs chief?

How can Europe ensure its political voice   is heard in the region?

First, Europe needs to have   a clear idea of what it wants to say.

And by that I don't just mean reiterating   what's been said during negotiations.

I mean having a real impact   on the process.

We need to show   that the EU means business.

Give us concrete examples. We keep   hearing about greater political influence...

It means we must "oblige",   I put it between quotation marks

but I do mean "oblige",   the two sides to sit down together.

The EU and the USA   must ensure there is a peace process.

And the EU must pay attention to another   issue which has just come to the fore,

The issue of Turkey's entry into the EU   is all the more important now,

because my impression is that Turkey,   seeing itself at an impasse,

is concentrating on   a more influential role in the region

that may not always respond positively   to European solicitations.

With regards to EU-Israeli relations,   your colleague, Alain Lamassoure,

often speaks of criteria of conditionality   also being applied to Israel.

Do you agree?   And how would this criteria be applied?

at the planning stage,   as we prepare our intervention,

these be linked to the advancement   of the process.

So, for example, if Israel keeps up   its rigid blockade of Gaza,

it would be in defiance   of any agreements?

We'll have to see whether the kind   of operation we've just seen,

because, according to the news,   two more ships are due to set sail

to try to get through the blockade,   is useful.

We must ensure   that the hawks are defeated

on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

And we must ensure the victory goes   to those willing to find a solution,

or at least willing to discuss   the '67 borders.

But do you think Israel   is really interested in peace?

Israel must understand   that if it really cares about its security,

that security can only be achieved   through an agreement.

So they are pursuing a suicidal policy,   since it is indirectly helping Hamas?

I see a great deal of irrationality   in their attitudes.

And there's a certain element   of political stupidity, which...

For example, they didn't allow us   to go directly to Gaza.

We had to make a detour.   That was a stupid political decision.

as well as the recognition   of two separate states...

These two aims can only be achieved   if the talks create defined objectives.