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EU Strategy For Peace In Middle East
A meeting of foreign ministers of European countries, scheduled for December 8, is set to approve an EU strategy document for achieving peace in the Middle East.
The main points of the document are: a permanent arrangement based on "land for peace," as set out at the 1991 Madrid conference, with the addition of elements from the Arab (Saudi) initiative, the Road Map, and the agreements signed to date; the establishment of an independent, democratic Palestinian state, as a condition for Israel's security; a freeze on construction, including for natural growth, in settlements and in east Jerusalem; improved functioning by the Palestinian security apparatuses, including in the war on terror; the advancement of a permanent, just, realistic, and agreed arrangement for the Palestinian problem, including dealing with logistical and economic aspects; Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestine; and support for the continued activity of the Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem and the reopening of Orient House.
On the regional scene, the strategy document includes advancing peace between Israel, Syria and Lebanon; attaining stability in Lebanon and normalization of Syria-Lebanon relations; a solution to the Shaba'a Farms problem as per U.N. Security Council Resolution No. 1701; and the advancement of regional security arrangements with the cooperation of the U.S., Israel, and the Arabs.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, December 4, 2008
Posted at: 2008-12-04
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