EUU, Alm.del - 2008-09 - Bilag 586: Henvendelse fra Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke og EMHRN om fredsprocessen i Mellemøsten

23 September 2009To: EU ministers of foreign affairsAddressing inconsistencies in the EU’s approach to the Middle East Peace Processat the next Council meeting on 27-28 October 2009Dear Minister,The fresh approach of the Obama administration has created a new dynamic in thediplomatic process in the Middle East. We believe this is also an opportunity for the EU torefresh its own approach to the Middle East in accordance with its principles.The European Union and its Member States are to be commended for paying highattention to the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). In various areas of the MEPP theCouncil has taken a principled position putting the EU at the forefront of internationalefforts to secure a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.However, over recent years, Council statements on the MEPP have been inconsistent in anumber of key areas – so reducing the EU’s standing as an honest broker in the process.The annexed briefing points out nine such cases that we would like to bring to yourattention with recommendations for redressing the inconsistencies for the future.The briefing has been prepared by a group of 15 European and internationalhumanitarian, development, human rights and peace organisations with first-handexperience working among communities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.We believe that in order to play a genuinely constructive and impartial role in the MEPP,the EU and its Member States must correct the inconsistencies detailed herein in futureCouncil Conclusions, beginning with the next meeting of the General Affairs and ExternalRelations Council on 27-28 October 2009.Crucially, the EU also needs to act on its statements by adopting policies and concretemeasures that give effect to its positions.We thank you for your attention to the issues and recommendations raised in the briefingand remain at your disposal to discuss them in greater depth.Sincerely,