Verklaring van Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Catherine Ashton bij haar bezoek aan het Midden-Oosten (en)

P R E S S FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu Darren Ennis +32 498 963 293 - +32 2 296 32 93 - Darren.Ennis@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu EN

I propose the Quartet meet as soon as possible to help find a solution to the current impasse. The Munich Security Conference in early February offers a good opportunity. In April, I will host the AHLC (Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the coordination of assistance to the Palestinians) meeting in Brussels. In support of the political process, we are prepared to host a Second Donors' Conference in Europe later in the spring. Another important subject of my discussions has been Gaza, which is never far from my mind, having visited it twice last year. As I have always said, the crossings must be opened to allow the flow of humanitarian aid, imports, exports and people. We need to enable children to go to school and ordinary people to reconstruct their homes and get on with their lives. Recent Israeli decisions are steps in the right direction but I have encouraged further efforts and complementary measures to achieve a fundamental change of policy that allows for the reconstruction and economic recovery of `Gaza while addressing Israel's legitimate security concerns. I have reiterated the EU's commitment to help and have discussed with both Israelis and Palestinians how to take forward the EU's comprehensive package of support, which includes improvements to the crossings infrastructure, equipment and training for the Palestinian Authority (PA) border and crossings personnel. My discussions also gave me the opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations. I commended the work of the PA in building the institutions of the future state and reiterated our full support to PM Fayyad's efforts. I confirmed that the EU will frontload an initial financial package worth 100 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territory under the 2011 budget. This will help the Palestinian Authority to continue providing essential public services across all the occupied Palestinian territory and will help UNRWA to continue with their essential work. With Israel, our partnership is strong and solid. I discussed the state-of-play of our relations with FM Liberman. The upcoming Association Council with Israel will be a good opportunity to make further progress. I was very happy to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity on the eve of Orthodox Christmas. This is an opportunity to reiterate my call for all religious groups around the world to gather and worship freely. The EU condemns all forms of intolerance and violence against persons because of their religion or belief, wherever it takes place." ____________________ 2 EN