91998E1108

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1108/98 by Spalato Belleré (NI) and Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Council (15 April 1998)

Subject: Foreign Secretary Cook's visit to Israel

At the end of the recent visit by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, a diplomatic incident was sparked off by a meeting, which was not part of the official schedule, between the EU representative and representatives of the Palestinian Authority at the Har Homà settlement.

The Israeli authorities objected to the meeting, complaining that it did not form part of official negotiations on a resumption of the peace process and in fact constituted a blatant case of interference in relations between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian authorities.

As the United Kingdom currently holds the Presidency, British Foreign Secretary Cook was acting as representative of the fifteen EU Member States.

Certain political stances taken by Mr Cook were not agreed by the Member States, nor do they in any way represent the unanimous view of EU countries on the Middle East crisis.

The European Union intends to play a leading role in the resumption of the Middle East peace process.

Does the Council agree that Foreign Secretary Cook's behaviour was inopportune, inappropriate and counterproductive in terms of the role which Europe wishes to play as an intermediary in the peace process?

Answer (6 July 1998)

During his trip to the Middle East on 15-18 March 1998 the President of the Council inter alia visited Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim, the site of a projected new Israeli settlement in the Occupied Territories. The visit was included on the Council President's official schedule by common agreement.

The visit was quite in keeping with the European Union's clearly stated opposition to the establishment of settlements in the Occupied Territories. When the building plans for Har Homa were announced in March 1997, the Presidency-in-Office spelt out the Council position, stating: 'The EU disapproves of this move. It clearly prejudges the outcome of the Permanent Status negotiations. The EU reiterates its policy that all settlement activities in the Occupied Territories contravene international law and are a major obstacle to peace.'

Plans for the visit by the President of the Council were approved by the Foreign Affairs Ministers at their informal meeting in Edinburgh on 13 and 14 March 1998. Following the visit, the Council endorsed the approach adopted by the President of the Council during his visit to the region, and in particular his visit to Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim, and adopted conclusions to that effect.