ends in climate of mutual promises

Athens 06/09/1999

The fourth meeting of Israeli and Palestinian personalities, sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of the "Athens Dialogue for Peace and Cooperation in the Middle East", ended here yesterday in a climate of mutual promises for common efforts to assist the Middle East peace process. These meetings, which were instituted in July 1997, are being held in the "people-to-people" framework to foster a climate of trust, and seek viable and lasting solutions to the Middle East issue.

The participants of the Fourth Meeting included former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Massalha, Palestinian Deputy Minister for Planning and International Cooperation Anis Al-Qaq, Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Yannos Kranidiotis, members of the Knesset and the Palestinian National Assembly.

In a common declaration, the participants welcomed Saturday's signing of a deal in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat that puts stalled Middle East peacemaking back on track after weeks of tortuous negotiations. Furthermore, the participants recognised the Palestinian people's legitimate right for self determination, while the Palestinians stated that their goal would be the establishment of an independent democratic state alongside Israel. The declaration also condemns "all forms of acts of terrorism and violence ...both the Israelis and Palestinians are determined to cooperate closely in an uncompromising fight against terrorism, which will safeguard the peace process and allow the two peoples to become an integral part of the

Middle East community."

The meeting decided to establish three committees, an inter-parliamentarian committee, a civil society and people-to-people committee and a political committee. It also decided that the Steering Committee composed of representatives of both sides and of a representative of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs will monitor and report on the implementation of what has been agreed upon in the declaration. The meeting also endorsed the proposal advanced by the Greek side to explore the possibility of close cooperation among Israel and the Palestinian Authority and Greece in the preservation of cultural heritage as well as in the protection of natural resources and other environmental issues. Two respective committees will be formed towards this end.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis expressed satisfaction at the end of the meeting, saying that "Greece actively participates in the peace process, because it considers it a part of a larger strategy for Mediterranean cooperation. We are convinced that the peace process is a prerequisite for this strategy", he added. Noticing that "a new wind is blowing in the wider Mediterranean and Balkan region", Mr Kranidiotis said that this area will eventually develop into an area of free exchange, cooperation and communication. "This development will promote the interests of all countries in the region, and Greece is called upon to strengthen it, since Greece is experiencing the repercussions of the events which take place in its fluid surroundings," he said.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Massalha said the signing of the peace deal was an additional step for further confidence building between the new Israeli government and the Palestinian leadership. He thanked the Greek government for the efforts it has been making for years to bring the two peoples closer. "We shall continue to build projects and programmes in the framework of the door opened following the signing at Sharm El-Sheikh

both with Greece and the other Mediterranean countries, since we are encouraged now both by Greece, the European Union which assists it in efforts to achieve peace between the two peoples, as well as Egypt, Jordan and the other countries," Mr. Masalha said.

Palestinian Minister Anis al Qaq said peace is a noble target for both sides and for all the countries in the Mediterranean. "An open spirit and an open heart are necessary for understanding," he said, adding that the past must be overcome to enable the two peoples to live together.

Replying to a question on whether the overall climate being shaped in the region is capable of affecting the development of the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kranidiotis said: "Both Greek-Turkish relations, which are experiencing a period of good climate, and the reconstruction being attempted in the Balkans, in conjunction with developments in the Middle East, send a message of optimism for a solution to the other problems existing in the area." On the question of Cyprus in particular, Mr. Kranidiotis said: "It is an open wound which should be closed” and asked for all parties to work for a just and peaceful solution based on the UN Resolutions."-