Three major items were discussed in the periodic meeting of Israel and the
Presidency of the European Union (known as the Troika), headed this time by
the foreign minister of Spain, Javier Solana. The first was Israel's request
for European economic aid to the Palestinians. The second dealt with the
deadlocked negotiations with the Syrians. The third dealt with Israel's
request that European dignitaries do not visit Orient House in Jerusalem,
lest it be construed as recognition of the PLO claim that East Jerusalem
would be the capital of its future state. Text of the Foreign Ministry's
spokesman communique follows:
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met Friday, 27.10.95, with a delegation sent
by the Presidency of the European Union, headed by Spanish Foreign Minister
Javier Solana.
During the meeting, Peres said that the EU has a vital role in terms of the
assistance it can provide to the entire Middle East and specifically to the
Palestinian Authority. Israel does not require financial assistance, Peres
added, but European aid to the Palestinians should be directed toward the
most important spheres - education of the younger generation, irrigation and
the war against desertification. At the same time, Peres noted that the real
guarantee of stability and security will be the democratization of
Palestinian society. Peres thanked the Europeans for the assistance they
have rendered in arranging the elections in the territories.
Regarding the negotiations with Syria, Peres said that time is being wasted
by debating form and language, while it is more important to discuss
substance. The level of the negotiations should be raised so that the talks
can involve a wide variety of issues - and not be limited to one specific
point.
As to Orient House, Foreign Minister Peres said that the European position
is inviting trouble and that it is particularly bizarre in light of the
decisive majority by which the U.S. Senate voted to move the American
embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. He asked that the Europeans reconsider their
position on this problematic matter.
Spanish Foreign Minister Solana took pride in Europe's role in organizing
the elections in the territories. He emphasized that the Barcelona
Conference - like the Amman Conference - relates to the entire Mediterranean
and not just to the Middle East. Solana also stressed that the European
position on Jerusalem is well known and has not changed. In addition, Solana
gave his consent to special development projects in the areas of water,
education, regional tourism and genetic-agricultural research. It was agreed
that an effort would be made to provide European aid to these spheres.