EJP | News | Europe reacts to Sharon illness

	Monday, October 13, 2008 14 Tishrei, 5769

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Europe reacts to Sharon illness

Updated: 05/Jan/2006 16:13

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lights the candles of the Jewish feast Hanukka at the headquarters of Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Bet El

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Below is a selection of these reactions collected by EJP’s correspondents.

Jack Straw, British Foreign Minister

“He has surprised, I think, everyone with the courage and statesmanship he has shown in recent years to work towards a long-term peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
This is a shock. It is a shock for us, for the people in Israel and the people across the region.

This man is a man of not only great political courage, but of astonishing physical courage and resilience as well.”

Javier Solana, EU high representative for the common foreign and security policy

Javier Solana, the European Union’s top foreign policy official, sent the following message of support to Ehud Olmert, Israel’s acting prime minister:

“In these difficult hours for Israel, I would like to express my sincere hope that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will make a complete and swift recovery. I would like to personally offer my full support and solidarity in these dramatic moments.”

Vladimir Putin, Russian president

Russian President Vladimir Poutine delivered a message through his ambassador in Israel, expressing his profound compassion to Prime Minister Sharon. He wished him “to recover as swift as possible”, according to a press release published on the Kremlin internet site.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she “sincerely wishes [Ariel Sharon] a swift recovery”. “My thoughts currently go to Ariel Sharon and to all his family.”

French President Jacques Chirac

In a message released by the Elysee palace in Paris, Jacques Chirac said: “All my wishes and all my thoughts are with him. I hope he will overcome the painful ordeal he is going through.”

The French president also assured acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of “France’s support, friendship and solidarity”.

Austrian ambassador to Israel

The Austrian ambassador to Israel has said he is confident that Sharon’s “strong nature” will help him pull through.

Austria took over the EU presidency from the UK at the beginning of January.

Ambassador Kurt Hengl told EJP: “On behalf of my own government, as well as in the name of the EU presidency, I want to convey my very best wishes to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for a speedy and full recovery. Having confidence in the prime minister’s famously strong nature, we very much hope that he will regain full health soon and continue to lead Israel’s political life.”

Swiss foreign ministry

"The Swiss federal department of the Foreign Affairs (DFAE) shares the concern of the Israeli people and expresses all his wishes for a fast recovery" of Mr. Sharon, a spokesman for foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sent his “best wishes” to Ariel Sharon. “We pray for him,” he said in a declaration broadcast on radio.
“I think this is very painful from a human point of view and very negative from the political point of view: Israel was very close to a historical moment – also thanks to the high esteem that the Palestinians have for Sharon – and is now confronted with a difficult future,” he said.

Berlusconi added: “I hope that what Sharon used to tell me may come true: his parents always believed in a free and secure state of Israel, coexisting with the Arab neighbors. I really hope this will actually happen.”