Summary of a meeting between Foreign Minister Peres and Foreign Minister Spring of Ireland

Mr. Spring's visit aroused some controversy in Israel as he paid an unofficial visit to Orient House in Jerusalem. Mr. Peres made it clear that Jerusalem is outside the scope of the Israel-PLO negotiations. In the course of the meeting many issues were raised: Israel-EU ties, the forthcoming Barcelona Conference, the state of the peace process and bilateral relations. This was the first visit of an Irish foreign minister to Israel. Ireland had been involved in peace keeping operations in Lebanon. Text:

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met for lunch yesterday (Sunday), 18.06.95, with Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring. This was the first visit by an Irish Foreign Minister to Israel. The issue of Orient House was raised by journalists before the meeting. Mr. Peres said that a distinction must be made between the Irish Foreign Minister's formal visit to Israel and his informal visit to Orient House, which is defined as a courtesy call only. Peres said that Israel indicated to the Irish Government that Jerusalem is outside the agreements with the Palestinians, and that any discussion of the issues of the Palestinian Authority at Orient House borders on a violation of the agreement with us. "There is no legal way to prevent visits at Orient House, as long as it is a courtesy call only. Jerusalem is a sensitive issue that needs to be dealt with carefully," Peres said. The Irish Foreign Minister told reporters that his visit to Orient House was in response to an invitation by the Palestinians. According to him, this was a courtesy call that was also coordinated with the countries of the European Union.

During their meeting, Mr. Peres welcomed Mr. Spring to Israel, and expressed the hope for enhanced cooperation in many areas between Ireland and Israel. Mr. Peres said that he hoped that Ireland would play an active and constructive role in the peace process, especially when it assumes the EU presidency in July 1996. Foreign Minister Spring responded that he was glad to be in Israel and to discuss the improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries. He pointed out that his government supports the peace process, and said that, "Ireland certainly wants to play an active role in establishing peace in the region, and to render assistance both within the European Union and at the Barcelona Conference." He mentioned that he had arrived in Israel from Damascus and was especially impressed by the optimism that prevails there in the run-up to the chiefs-of-staff talks in Washington.

The two foreign ministers expressed their satisfaction over the improvement in bilateral relations and over their extension to the agriculture and technology fields. Mr. Peres briefed Mr. Spring on the peace process with the Palestinians and with Syria. He pointed out that Israel is making every effort to reach agreement by July 1, but noted that the redeployment of the IDF in the territories will be in two stages: the first - before the elections and the second - afterwards. On the issue of Jerusalem, Mr. Peres said that there were differences of opinion with the Palestinians, and that Israel will not agree to a Berlin-style partition, but would agree to open it to believers from every faith and religion. Mr. Peres also brought up the issue of the agreement with the European Union; Mr. Spring replied that Ireland was interested that the agreement be signed quickly, and would act accordingly. Mr. Peres also raised the issue of a regional bank, and pointed out that the bank would be the first financial institution in the area with a unified and positive character. He said that the Middle East bank would not repeat the mistakes of other regional banks. Mr. Spring replied that it would be desirable to raise the issue at the Barcelona Conference.