BRUSSELS (EJP)---The European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, believes that it is possible for the international Mideast meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, next Tuesday, to launch a bilateral negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

It is "doable," he said in a written interview with the European Jewish Press (EJP), adding that "all parties must do their utmost to ensure that the meeting has a successful outcome because failure is not an option."

According to Solana, who met Egyptian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders during a recent trip to the region, the period after Annapolis will be more important than the meeting itself. "It will be crucial to have a political follow-up, in which the international community will play an important role."

The United States has invited 49 countries, groups of nations, financial institutions and individuals to attend the conference.

Israel has to freeze and then reverse its settlement policy in the occupied territories. The Palestinians have to demonstrate their will and their ability to assume the responsibilities that come with statehood, including the responsibility for security

The European Union will be present at the Annapolis meeting as a member of the Quartet, the group of international peace mediators which also comprises the US, Russia and the United Nations.

"All leaders are fully aware that a failure at Annapolis will have dramatic consequences. There is a momentum towards re-launching the peace process. The international community is behind it, with the active involvement of the international Quartet and the support of the Arab League," Solana said.

Javier Solana's interview with EJP

Full text of interview with Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, ahead of the Annapolis conference.

The EU expects from the parties to begin negotiating final status issues. "The Israelis and the Palestinians have to demonstrate their commitment to the two-state solution by taking without delay the measures needed to prepare the ground for the end-game," Solana stressed.

He added: "Israel has to freeze and then reverse its settlement policy in the occupied territories. The Palestinians have to demonstrate their will and their ability to assume the responsibilities that come with statehood, including the responsibility for security."

On Iran, Solana hopes to be able to meet again the Iranian negotiators "very soon" before he briefs, at the end of November, the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany on the outcome of his contacts with the Iranians on their nuclear program.

Solana said he believes that the recent report made by Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agenecy (IAEA), "represents a modest step forward but leaves many issues unresolved."

"There was some progress in dealing with the past but I would like to see more clarity about the present and the future situation," Solana, whose official title is "High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy," added.