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VOLUME 13-14: 1992-1994
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82. Summary of a Meeting between Prime Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Kooijmans of Holland, 25 May 1993.
The round of talks in Washington started on 27 April 1993 ended with no breakthrough. In his meeting with the Dutch foreign minister, Mr. Rabin explained Israel's negotiating positions and stressed that Israel was prepared to implement almost at once self-rule in Gaza first. He also enlisted Holland's help in Israel's quest to amend its economic agreement with the EU signed in 1975. Text:
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin met this morning (Tuesday), 25.5.93, with Dutch Foreign Minister Prof. Dr. Pieter Hendrik Kooijmans, in his office. The two men discussed matters related to the Middle East; the bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Syrian and Palestinian delegations; and European positions regarding the resolution of the conflict in the region. The Dutch foreign minister said that the next round of talks will bear great significance and, despite the disappointment of the last round, Syria has great interest in the resumption of the negotiations. Prime Minister Rabin presented the negotiating positions of Israel to the guest, as well as the measures taken by Israel toward the realization of its positions for the sake of advancing the negotiations. He emphasized that Israel is interested in resolving the heart of the conflict between [Israel] and the Palestinians and not only in dealing with its symptoms - the situation in the territories. The prime minister repeated that Israel is prepared to begin implementing self-rule in Gaza first, after an agreement is reached in principle on an interim arrangement with the Palestinians.
Mr. Rabin noted that Israel wants Europe to adopt a more balanced position with respect to the conflict in the Middle East, with the example of the Egyptian position. He called on the European Community to invest in the territories toward improving the living conditions of the Palestinian residents [therein] and creating an infrastructure for economic development. European economic assistance can, in his words, be given directly to the Palestinian population and this will contribute to the welfare of the residents and to the advancement of the peace process.
The two also discussed economic relations between Europe and Israel. Prime Minister Rabin said that Israel is interested in improving the balance of trade with Europe, and hopes that the negotiations toward altering the economic agreement with Europe since 1975 will give expression thereto. The guest expressed hope that the Israeli request in this regard will [receive] a positive response. |
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