BRUSSELS (EJP)---The EU’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said Wednesday that the conditions for America and Europe to work together for peace in the Middle East "are probably better than ever", in an address to the European Parliament plenary session in Brussels.
The EU diplomat, who has recently returned from a visit to Washington, expressed the hope that the new Israeli Prime Minister and government “will be solid interlocutors for peace talks.”
He added: “At the same time the Palestinians must get their house in orde,” describing inter-Palestinian reconciliation as the "key to peace, stability and development”.
He said Europe is committed to a viable Palestinian state, living side-by-side with Israel.
Solana described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "heartbreaking" and said an urgent solution was needed to reduce the suffering of the people there.
In a joint resolution adopted by 488 votes in favour 5 against and 19 abstentions, the European Parliament called for a damage assessment in Gaza and an in-depth evaluation of the needs of the Gaza population.
This evaluation, the resolution said, could serve as a basis for reconstruction plans.
“The financial, economic and social rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip is an essential element of security in the region. Aid should include payments in cash to pay salaries, pensions and allowances for the most vulnerable people and families.”
MEPs called for increased humanitarian aid and for an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the immediate and sustainable reopening of the crossing points, and the prevention of smuggling of and illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition.
They stressed that the European Union's financial support to the Palestinians “should not be undermined by continuous destruction, which is diminishing support for reconstruction projects in European public opinion.”
An international conference in support of the Palestinian economy for the reconstruction of Gaza is to be held in Sharm El Sheikh on March 2.
The European Parliament expressed the need for a resumption of "serious" peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians together with a Palestinian national reconciliation process.
During the debate proceding the vote of the resolution,Joseph Daul, president of the Christian-Democrat group, the largest in the parliament, said the situation in Gaza “gets gets worse every day."
"We cannot tolerate aid being taken hostage," he added, condemning the confiscation by Hamas of an aid shipment as "disgraceful".
“Economic and social reconstruction are essential to stability, and there can be no more reconstruction without a lasting ceasefire", he said. “Hamas must take the first step, by ceasing to launch missiles"..
Martin Schultz, the German president of the Socialist group, stressed that “violence simply breeds more violence.”
He said the arrival of a new US foreign policy team, focused on dialogue and co-operation, “offers a glimmer of hope,” but added that in Israel “Netanyahu is a risk for the peace process.”
"Whether Hezbollah can be integrated depends on who's in charge in Tehran,” Schultz said, stressing that the outcome of Iran's election would determine whether its government and president are radical, or prepared to talk.
"We favour a unity government for Palestinians,", adding that "somebody had to talk to Hamas." "Those who are prepared to do so deserve support."
For the Liberals, British Graham Watson said that "we need a new, positive approach with or without the US."
“The EU must take the lead”, he said.