EU
Solana: Israel Palestine Annapolis Conference Successful For
Discussing Issues
By
Israel News Agency Staff
Jerusalem, Israel ---- November 19, 2007 ..... In
a recent joint press conference with Israel Foreign Minister
Livni and European Union Rep. Solana, both stated that the success
of Annapolis conference itself was simply defined by launching
negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on all of the
outstanding issues.
The
Israel Government Press Office communicated the following to
the Israel News Agency.
Israel
Foreign Minister Livni: "Thank you. I would like to welcome
to Israel a friend, Javier Solana. We just met last week in
Lisbon as part of the Euro-Med, part of the Barcelona process,
and now we have continued our discussion on the situation in
the region. Javier Solana just came from a visit in Egypt and
other parts of the Arab world and of course the topics that
we discussed in our conversation were the relations between
Israel and the EU, and our mutual understanding of the need
to upgrade those relations. We spoke about the Iranian threat,
the need to have another Security Council resolution, and the
understanding that time works against the international community
in terms of the Iranian technology. Also that there's a need
to enhance the Israel position and to broaden the sanctions
in order to see a real change on the ground.
Of
course, we discussed the situation and the relations between
Israel and the Palestinians before Annapolis, but mostly we
discussed the day after Annapolis, the need to launch negotiations
between Israel and the Palestinians in order to reach an understanding
on how to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
It was fruitful and enlightening - for me anyway. It's part
of the relations between Israel and Europe, and the need to
inform and to share ideas, and I believe that basically we share
not only the same values but also the same interests and the
same understanding of the region. Thank you."
European
Union Secretary-General Solana responded with: "thank you
very much. Very, very briefly, because the Minister has said
just about everything that has happened in this meeting, but
let me underline what is important. A week ago we were together
on Monday and Tuesday. We were together almost 24 hours, or
48 hours, so really our level of communication and understanding
is very high. Today I stopped here because I have been with
the minister in Egypt and met with the Palestinians, and I wanted
to make the point here in Israel. I met with the Prime Minister
this morning and now with [Foreign Minister Livni] and the other
members of the government, and I will see the Israel Minister
of Defense later on, and then I will leave.
The
point I would like to make is that the relationship is very
fluid and almost permanent now. When we don't talk physically;
we talk on the phone, so we are having a lot of contact in this
period of time.
A
word about the moment in which we are living: I think that Annapolis
is an opportunity and I really believe very deeply that we cannot
afford to fail. Failure will be something that I don't want
even to think about, therefore everybody has to make an effort
to put their utmost into cooperating for the success of the
meeting. And as the Minister has said, the day after the meeting
will be as important as, or more important than the meeting
itself.
My
impression after having talked to many of the Arab leaders and
the Palestinians is that the whole process is doable. It can
be done, and therefore I appeal to everybody not to be a bystander
on the road. Everybody has to roll up their sleeves and try
to work in a constructive manner so that the process that's
going to start ends up well. That is everybodys wish,
I think, in the region, and my wish and what I represent, which
is the European Union.
Now
also a word on bilateral relations: The bilateral relations
between Israel and the European Union can and will be upgraded,
and I will do my best in that direction. There are many places
or many issues on which we can cooperate further. Let's think
about science, let's talk about technology, in which Israel
is already part of our programs and can participate in our programs
- and many other things we can think of. So I think that the
possibilities of upgrading that relationship is feasible and
we'll do the utmost to do it. Thank you.
The
media asked a question: Ill ask one question for clarification,
with your permission, Mr. Solana. You've been quoted in Egypt
as saying that it is not absolutely necessary that the Roadmap
be the point from which both sides have to depart and it is
up to the parties to decide where they go, with or without that
Roadmap. Is it absolutely necessary to work upon the basis of
the road map or are there other avenues?
And Minister Livni, if you could relate to the subject of Syria.
Besides participating in Annapolis, is this the time to initiate
contact and put out feelers with Syria - after or before Annapolis,
but in general to open this channel? And I would ask you, if
I may, to relate also to the subject of the settlements and
clarify this issue."
European
Union Secretary-General Solana responded: "As you know,
if the two parties get an agreement, they can do whatever they
agree to do, with or without a Roadmap. What do I think? I think
that they would not agree on anything that is very far from
the Roadmap and therefore this is just a metaphorical question.
I think that a potential agreement is around the terms of the
first phase of the map. I would not say the whole of the map,
but at least the first phase. I know it by heart because I wrote
part of it. I think that potentially there is a way to implement
whatever agreements may come out of the process that is happening
in Annapolis. And I have the impression that it is practically
agreed that the Roadmap will be accepted by both sides."
Israel
Foreign Minister Livni responded: "I would like to add
to this because the Roadmap was accepted and adopted by the
international community as such, and this is the only plane
that exists in terms of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Basically
it was agreed that at the end of the future negotiations and
the understandings between Israel and the Palestinians, we are
going back to check whether the first phase or the other phases
of the Roadmap were implemented fully and completely - and I
would like to say that I'm not in love with the Roadmap but
I believe that the sequencing of the Roadmap and the fact that
it is clear that the path to the Palestinian state goes through
renunciation of violence and terrorism is crucial for Israel's
security, and I believe that it also serves the Palestinian
interest.
So
the idea is to launch negotiations right now but then at the
end of the process, at the end of negotiations, we'll find and
check whether the Palestinians implemented fully and completely
their obligations according to the Roadmap when it comes to
Israel's security.
When
it comes to settlement activities, when talking about the Roadmap
it is agreed that the Roadmap should be implemented by both
sides. So, talking about the Israeli obligations, we refer to
the settlements and the need to freeze the settlement activities.
I don't want to refer exactly to the sequencing of the Roadmap.
This is part of the Israeli obligation and part of the negotiations
that we are having right now.
The
central obligation of the two sides has long been to implement
the Roadmap. We have decided to conduct a dialogue with the
Palestinians on a permanent settlement, on condition that at
the end we go back and implement the Roadmap. Before establishing
a Palestinian state, for us it is very important to check that
the Palestinians have fully upheld their part according to the
road map so we can make sure that Israels security needs
will be met completely. So, although I am not involved with
all the contents and clauses of the Roadmap, as I see it, the
principle according to which the path to the Palestinian state
passes through relinquishing terror is vital and forms the base
of the Roadmap.
When
we refer to the Roadmap and speak of the mutual obligation on
both sides to comply with the Roadmap, we have to remember that
Israel also has obligations according to the Roadmap. Among
other obligations, there is a reference to freezing settlements,
so this subject is on the agenda between the Palestinians and
us, and between the international community and us, in the context
of the Roadmap.
As
you know, I am very focused on the Palestinian subject. I think
that this is a critical subject for peace in the region. Israel
has always wanted to live in peace with its neighbors, including
Syria. As I have expressed in the past, one of the first questions
we need to set on the table, including with Syria, is their
need to understand that when Israel talks peace - and Israel
wants to talk peace with Syria - this does not just mean bilateral
relations but the regional context - contacts with Iran, the
arms now being smuggled from Syria to Lebanon. But as you all
know, I am almost completely immersed in the Palestinian subject."
The
international media asked Mr. Solana: "I would like to
ask you what is going to be the role of the European Union in
Annapolis and if you are confident that after the conference
an agreement could be reached in eight or nine months? And to
Minister Livni, what is the status of the current negotiations
on this joint document? Is it focusing on core issues or on
other issues?"
European
Union Secretary-General Solana responded: "The role of
the European Union is to be part of the Annapolis conference
and a member of the Quartet. Apart from being a member of the
Quartet, so we'll be there. There will be a very important presence
of the European Union and very important activity and contribution
to the process - not only to the conference itself but also
to the mechanism of follow-up, to monitor it if necessary, etc.
Now,
you asked me if it's feasible to file an agreement at the end
of a period of eight months or something like that. I think
by the end of the year 2008, it could be doable. It could be
feasible. I don't guarantee that will be done but I think it's
possible."
Israel
Foreign Minister Livni responded: "I think that the success
of Annapolis itself is launching negotiations between Israel
and the Palestinians on all of the outstanding issues. We need
to remember and understand that for the last seven years, since
2000, there were no negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel decided to leave the Gaza Strip as a unilateral step.
The situation in the Palestinian Authority is complicated since
Gaza is being controlled by Hamas, and the legitimate Palestinian
government has some problems in delivering some of our security
needs. But nevertheless, we believe that part of our policy
- the international policy - of distinction between the moderates
and the extremists, requires this kind of a dialogue in order
to find and reach an understanding on all of the outstanding
issues.
I
believe that the success of Annapolis is launching a process
and the support of the international community and especially
the support of the Arab world in these negotiations. And I would
like to take this opportunity to call upon the Arab world and
to say that the Palestinians need their support. It's not for
the sake of Israel, but for the sake of the peace process. Support
does not mean to dictate the outcome of the negotiations or
to put obstacles before Annapolis, but just to join and support
the bilateral process, which is the only process.
During
these meetings with the Palestinians, we don't want to prejudice
the day after by putting some obstacles, when it comes to the
core issues, before the process. So, in terms of carriage and
horses, I believe that the idea is to bridge the gaps the day
after, and this is part of our mutual interests, the Israeli
and the Palestinian ones.
So
Israel's policy is not stagnation, or we are not going to "win"
sometime. I mean, according to the Roadmap, we could have waited
until the full implementation of the first phase of the Roadmap
before launching negotiations with the Palestinians. But we
decided to take other steps, because we believe that negotiations
are important, the need to find the way to end the conflict
is important and time works against those who believe in a two-state
solution - I mean the moderates in the region. And I hope that
the Palestinians in the Arab world also understand that it is
less about the paper or the statement before, but more about
the importance of the day after."
The
media asked Mr. Solana: "you are due to brief the five
members of the Security Council in Germany before the end of
the month on what you assess on Iran's nuclear program. On the
contacts you have had so far with the Iranians, are you satisfied
with the degree of cooperation you are getting from Tehran and
will you be recommending tougher sanctions to the UN? And to
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, how would you assess the talks
that your team is leading with Abu Ala? How close are we to
finalizing a joint statement? Are you confident it can be clinched
before the Annapolis Conference and is there not maybe a need
at this late stage for bridging proposals from the Americans?"
Solana
responds: "Let me answer your question as I can today.
I will have another meeting with the Iranians before the end
of the month, before the last week of this month. I still cannot
tell you the exact date but we are trying to find a date in
our complicated calendars and agendas. You understand I'm not
going to answer the part of the first part of your question
because I can't and because I will have another meeting, and
I think they should have all the facts and refer to the members
of the Security Council."
Livni
responds: "I hope, for a start, to answer yes. There's
a need for broader, more effective sanctions on Iran by the
international community in the Security Council - and not only
by the Security Council and other members of the international
community, but I hope that the private sector in Europe and
elsewhere also understand that it's about the future of the
world and not only an Israeli problem. It's not only about profits
but more about the need to meet this dangerous cause coming
from Iran and the need to address this challenge by the international
community as such.
About
your question: As I said before, I think that the most important
thing is the day after. We need to agree, and it basically was
agreed, that the success of Annapolis is in launching renegotiations
between Israel and the Palestinians on all of the outstanding
issues. This is success in itself, and these are the most important
and serious negotiations that we have, while in the last seven
years we had none.
So,
according to this understanding, I believe that we can reach
an understanding. If we try to reach [agreement on] the most
sensitive issues before the day of Annapolis - maybe something
like you suggested could happen. I mean, things clashing or
the inability to bridge some gaps in a week, with reference
to the most sensitive issues.
I
believe that since we are going to launch a real process of
negotiations on all of the outstanding issues, the best thing
to do is relate to the day after in terms of a process and then
to launch a master process in Annapolis, to be supported, I
hope, by the international community and the Arab world. Then
I hope we can bridge the gaps when it comes to the most sensitive
issues and the core issues. But I believe that it is best to
do it the day after and not to try to reach an understanding
in a few days about an open conflict and on the most sensitive
issues. I think that the most important thing is the process
and the day after, so I hope that we are going to reach a joint
statement, yes, but I think that the statement is less important.
The most important thing is Annapolis and the day after, and
basically the statement will refer to Annapolis and the day
after."