Kranidiotis talks peace with EU's envoy for the Middle East

Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis held talks yesterday with the European Union's envoy for the Middle East Miguel Angel Moratinos on the Middle East peace process.
Among the issues discussed was the forthcoming fourth meeting of Israelis and Palestinians which will be held in Athens from July 7-11.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Mr. Kranidiotis, Mr. Moratinos said "we can say that the Athens dialogue has been the safety net in the difficult times. It has been the safety net to maintain the peace process and dialogue when the situatio n was extremely difficult."
Mr. Moratinos underlined the active role played by Greece in the EU.  "...I think Greece has been playing an active role in order that the European Union becomes increasingly involved in the peace process. Greece has demonstrated it with action, with proposals, Greece has been one of the avant guard countries in the sense  that it was important to get to the heart of Europe the feeling of what is going on in the Middle East," Mr. Moratinos said.  "One of the main proof of that is the new proposal of the Greek government, supported by Spain and Italy, of this common strategy of the Mediterranean and Middle East. The main idea is to overcome this discussion of what affects or interacts the Middle East
peace process and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. And I think the new common strategy of the European Union will facilitate a
political role of the Union in the Middle East," he added.
"We have a one year target period in front of us, and we have to use this one year in order to try to achieve a final peace on the Middle East. So, I have also to recognise the importance of this Athens Dialogue - we are going to be present here in Athe ns.   "It is the fourth meeting, that means, that there has been a permanent forum for Palestinians and Israelis. And, what is more important, it has created a partnership between Palestinians and Israelis, even in a very difficult time," Mr. Moratinos said.
On his part, Mr. Kranidiotis praised Mr. Moratinos' role and contribution in promoting the effort for peace and pointed out that the EU, after the formation of a new government in Israel, should undertake an initiative and play an active role in resolv ing the region's problems.
The Greek minister said Greece, Spain and Italy have submitted a proposal to their EU partners for a common strategy for the Mediterranean, which "it is hoped to be ratified in Helsinki in December".  Mr. Kranidiotis termed the talks "useful" and said "we discussed the new phase in which the issue of peace in the Middle East is finding itself following elections in Israel."
"I believe indeed that this development can lead to positive results and promote the peace process, which is at a crucial turning point, with speedier rates. Margins have been exhausted and, consequently, we must deal immediately with the serious issues   concerning the finalised status and the problem of Jerusalem, as well as to try to provide an impetus for the other processes as well, namely to the problem of Lebanon and Syria, which is equally serious with that of the crisis in the Middle East itself. .. unless this aspect is not resolved as well, we will not have real peace in the region," he said.
"We are waiting for the new government of Israel to be formed. It is our view that immediately afterwards the EU should undertake an initiative and play an active role. We are discussing certain ideas which Mr. Moratinos has submitted to us," he added.
A decision is expected to be taken at the Athens meeting on the formation of five committees - an inter-parliamentary committee, a comittee for resolving problems arising in everyday life, an economic committee, an education and culture committee and a political committee.
The Athens meeting and others are taking place within the framework of so-called "people-to-people" contacts which are aimed at creating a climate of confidence between the Israeli and Palestinian assemblies which will help the two governments find an o verall, lasting and viable solution to the Middle East problem.