Message from Foreign Minister Peres to the Mediterranean Sea Forum

Israel suffered a setback when the members of the Mediterranean Sea Forum decided to meet in France and to exclude Israel from its deliberations, at the demand of Algeria. This forum was seen by Israel as an important one, since it had links with both the United Nations and the European Union. Israel feared this could set a precedent for other international gatherings, hence the sharp language of Mr. Peres' message.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres sent the following message to the Mediterranean Sea Forum, which includes Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Malta:

"We received with sorrow your decision to convene the Mediterranean Sea Forum in France and capitulate to the Algerian diktat to exclude Israel. This is a surrender to a political boycott, while the Arab League has yet to cancel the economic boycott." Mr. Peres added that the explanation that the decision to invite a country to the Forum depends on the agreement of all participants, is unacceptable and that either the Forum should not be convened, or that Algeria should exclude itself.

Foreign Minister Peres further emphasized that while Algeria is not a democratic country and is not a leader in the peace process, Israel has peaceful relations with those Arab and Islamic countries that wish it. He noted that Israel is on the Mediterranean Sea, is a member of the UN and has links to the European Union and for these reasons, should not have been excluded.