Second Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Malta, 15-16 April 1997
Mr. Chairman, Fellow Foreign Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of this Conference and particularly to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta for graciously hosting the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
It is certainly a suitable choice to hold this Conference in Malta, as this beautiful island embraces within it a combination of the culture and history of Europe and the Mediterranean.
It is my hope that this Conference will promote understanding, dialogue and cooperation, not only between the countries of Europe and those of the Mediterranean, but also between the Mediterranean states themselves.
This conference is taking place at a time of grave difficulties in the Middle East peace process, at a time when heavy clouds cover the sky, at a time of doubt and soul-searching regarding the fate of the peace process.
Israel has chosen the path of peace of its own free will, with the goal of reaching a permanent settlement and a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Our desire for peace needs no proof. The yearning for peace unites the entire people of Israel, irrespective of political differences.
From the very day the present Israeli government took office, we have acted without respite to establish channels of communication with our Palestinian colleagues, to develop agreed working methods and to advance the negotiations, firstly regarding the implementation of the Interim Agreement, and later regarding the permanent status settlement.
These genuine efforts have been met by a barrage of accusations, doubts and dictates. Merely a few days after the government was sworn in, the leaders of the Arab League, meeting in Cairo, adopted a range of decisions, each of which was either a demand or dictate or precondition to Israel to the effect that the peace process would be frozen, the normalization process would be stalled and all of the hard-earned achievements of the peace process thus far would be annulled, if Israel did not accede to the Arab demands.
The importance of every step taken by Israel in accordance with the agreements signed was marginalized and minimized, while demands for further Israeli concessions were stepped up. The Palestinians chose to carry out a campaign in the capitals of the region and worldwide in an attempt to exercise pressure upon Israel and to isolate her if she did not accept the Palestinian positions.
This is not the way to conduct negotiations.
The choice of peace is the choice of life, of the realization of dreams, prayers and hopes. Israel will continue to make every effort to reach a true peace for us and our neighbors. For its part, Israel is irreversibly committed to the peace process.
It must be clear to all that there is no turning back from the choice of peace. There is no alternative. The aspersions cast by our neighbors damage the chances of achieving peace, undermining the belief of the peoples that it is possible to live in peace without violence.
The Cairo Summit, other public gatherings, the references of certain figures to Jihad, and other manifestations of enmity towards Israel, create an atmosphere which endangers peace and the stability of the region. The importance of restraint and avoidance of verbal incitement is critical, and I have had occasion to stress this to you (looking at Arafat) and to all my interlocutors.
Words can bring in their wake deeds which can not be redressed. We, the leaders of the region, have a responsibility to our peoples and to the entire region to create new hope, to disperse the dark clouds of estrangement and hatred, and to show the way towards a different future.
Israel has conducted honest and open negotiations with the Palestinians. Our decision regarding the redeployment in Hebron was neither simple nor easy for us. Nevertheless, we reached agreement on a range of issues, and both sides took various commitments upon themselves. Disputes are resolved through discussions, not violence. There must be no more violence.
Many doubts have been expressed regarding the Government of Israel. Few believed that we would reach agreement regarding Hebron, just as now many doubt that we will reach a permanent settlement. But is must be remembered that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation. The parties must be committed to the agreements they have signed and to fulfilling their undertakings. It is inconceivable that new demands be continually raised, that ultimatums be put forward, and that threats of terror and violence and the cessation of negotiations be allowed to persist.
The Palestinians' struggle against terror is neither a prize nor a concession to Israel. Rather it is their duty, consistent with their choice of the path of negotiation and peace. The struggle against terror is also in the Palestinians' direct interest. Israel has always seen to its own security needs. We will overcome the terrorism, but the question remains whether terrorism will damage the Palestinian Authority and others in region. The cooperation we call for in the struggle against terror is in the interest of all the countries of the region in order to safeguard stability, progress and prosperity for us all.
My I add that Israel is not insensitive to the hardships of the Palestinians. Indeed we are acting to ease these hardships and are allowing thousands of Palestinian's to enter Israel to work. However, in the face of the horrific scenes of terror and destruction in the hearts of our cities, of the murder of women and children, blown up before their loved ones, there is no country in the world which would not take measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. We can not be expected to continue with our heads in the sand, oblivious to the events affecting us.
I therefore call from this rostrum to the Palestinian Authority to use all the means at its disposal to detain inciters and terrorist perpetrators and to improve its security cooperation with Israel. I also call upon the leaders of the PA to convey a clear and unequivocal message to the Palestinian people disavowing and opposing terror and violence and communicating their choice of negotiation, dialogue and peace.
I am hopeful that the PA will take the necessary steps and return to the negotiations on the permanent status, rather than avoiding negotiations and adopting instead, once again, the methods of international pressure and isolation of Israel.. After all, peace is a goal we all share. It is the sole remedy to our problems. It is our responsibility to future generations to do everything in our power to advance it. I am hopeful that this is the path that will be taken. If the present unrest is allowed to persist, it will only serve to further undermine the confidence of the Israeli public that this path is indeed the right one.
It is mistaken to believe, however, that this approach will bring progress and a resolution. The sides must understand that negotiation is the art of the possible, the art of compromise. Neither side will be able to realize all its aspirations. We find ourselves today subjected to a crisis born of exaggerated expectations or perhaps even of illusions. Nevertheless, our determination to proceed in the peace process will continue to guide us. It is my hope that we will find partners in this determination within the Palestinian Authority.
In recent weeks we have been witness to numerous regional and international conferences and gatherings, including appeals to the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The atmosphere, the decisions, and the statements at these gatherings are not in any way conducive to the establishment of mutual confidence and goodwill between the sides.
The forum and the way to resolve differences is around the negotiating table, through direct talks between the sides. I hope that a new chapter will be launched in the dialogue between the sides, and that codes of behavior and collaboration will be established in order to make it possible to progress together towards peace. This is a call to life. We must not lose hope nor raise our hands in surrender. We must overcome the obstacles. If we don't, no one will.
Israel has been a partner in the Barcelona Process from the outset. We see this process as a means not only for strengthening the cooperation and understanding between the countries of Europe and the Mediterranean but also as a means of buttressing our efforts to promote peace, understanding, dialogue and the establishment of frameworks for cooperation.
The island of Malta, where we are gathered today, is an image of the bridge that we envisage between the countries of the Mediterranean from three separate continents, Africa, Asia and Europe, symbolizing the importance of cooperation and mutual engagement.
In our gathering here we can review the great progress that has been made since the Barcelona Conference and to set a plan of action for the future. We have come here with the expectation that Malta will serve as a beacon for enhancing regional and intra-regional cooperation.
The Barcelona Process presents us with objectives in three important areas - the political/security, the economic, and the social/cultural. This process has the capacity to set a common agenda and to create the frameworks which will make it possible to implement the different initiatives. If it is to succeed, the process must be free of political pressures, linkages and preconditions.
The Political-Security Partnership is based on the principles agreed upon at Barcelona to advance and buttress peace, stability and security. This Partnership must be allowed to develop gradually, through building consensus and agreement, taking into account the respective needs of the parties. In this vein Israel has submitted various confidence and security building measures.
In light of the dangers that threaten the security of the region, the Barcelona Process must serve as a bulwark against the terrorism, fundamentalism and extremism promoted by certain organizations and states.
It is my hope that in addition to the work that has been invested in the security element, we will work in the near future to advance the political component of the Partnership. This dialogue must be based on the principles agreed upon at Barcelona and refer to subjects such as human rights, development of the rule of law and institutions of democracy, the promotion of tolerance and the struggle against manifestations of intolerance, racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism. The sooner this is done, the better.
The Economic and Financial Partnership is of utmost importance. Clearly there are many economic differences and gaps between the countries of the region which must be overcome. It is also clear that our neighbors' prosperity is directly related to our own and an interest shared by us all. Recognition of this fact will contribute to the stability and security of the entire region.
In this regard, Israel attaches great significance to the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Economic Free-Trade Area. Israel proposes that the process be completed earlier than the current target date of 2010. This will expedite the process of liberalization of domestic and external markets and the better utilization of the individual economic advantages of each participant country, thus enabling the region to enjoy the benefits of strong economic organization. We hope that the countries of Europe and the EU will, through their dialogue with the Mediterranean states, develop new avenues for facilitating the economic development of these countries.
Industrial parks should be developed wherever possible with European entrepreneurs and investors. It would be preferable were these parks to include vocational schools aimed at increasing the scholastic and professional aptitude of the next working generation. Israel has finalized a proposal for the establishment of Mediterranean Cooperation Centers, which are intended, on a pilot basis, to promote regional economic and social cooperation.
Our joint activity in the political and security fields, together with our economic initiatives will only bear fruit if we can create in our region an atmosphere of stability, dialogue and tolerance based upon mutual respect.
Dialogue is needed between peoples, not just between leaders. Cultural activity must be encouraged so that we may understand each other better. We support all actions to advance the religious, cultural and social dialogue between the Barcelona participants.
Israel sees the Barcelona Process as a framework which must be preserved, advanced and strengthened. All the countries of the region will derive benefit from its success. It is my hope that this Conference will create a new basis for accelerating the activities of the process and their implementation.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We must overcome the differences of the past - the crises and nationalist conflicts - and adopt codes of behavior and interaction that will make it possible to achieve our goals. We must adopt a different understanding of peace. Peace is a promise which is within our grasp. There is no place for preconditions or doubts. Nor is there any place for threats of blocking normal relations or forbidding the fruits of peace. We must agree upon principles that will allow the conduct of negotiations free of pressures, threats and dramas.
We have before us an historic opportunity and a heavy responsibility. Let us not waste the scarce resources of goodwill, hope for peace, confidence, trust and common cause which guide us. Let us overcome that which divides us and concentrate on building upon that which unites us. The preconceived prejudices and past hostilities which create a psychological barriers which paralyse constructive and original thinking must be laid aside. We must address the problems of the present so that we may build for the future.