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The European Union Commission with British Prime Minister Tony Blair
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While EU leaders expressed support for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Gaza disengagement plan, one Commissioner this week stressed the importance of recognising this is only a step in the Middle East peace process.
"I commend the determination and leadership of Prime Minister Sharon and the Israeli government. I fervently hope that the disengagement can be managed in an orderly manner, which depends in part on intensified co-operation between Israeli and Palestinian Authorities.", European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told EJP ahead of the planned Israeli pullout from settlements in Gaza starting next week.
"The success of the Gaza withdrawal will be crucial in the search for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East, she added.
“However, this withdrawal is the beginning not the end of the story,” she added.
She announced that, as part of its assistance to the Palestinian Authority, the EU “is preparing a package of about € 60 million specifically for Gaza post-withdrawal to focus on infrastructure and public institutions.”
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 However, this withdrawal is the beginning not the end of the story
Benita Ferrero-Waldner |
Sharon’s disengagement plan, starting on Monday, 15 August, includes the dismantling of all 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza strip and another four in the West Bank,
Catalyst for peace
Ferrero-Waldner, who is responsible for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy within the 25-member European Executive body, said: “Successful disengagement should be a catalyst to reactivate progress on full implementation by both parties of their commitments under the Quartet Road Map. This is the only way to a just and therefore lasting peace, with two states living side by side in security and harmony."
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Benita Ferrero-Waldner Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy |
The Mideast Road Map toward peace was developed in 2003 by the "Quartet" of the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union. It outlines a broad series of steps that are supposed to lead to a Middle East in which the State of Israel and a new Palestinian State coexist peacefully.
Austria’s European Commissioner expressed the hope “that the disengagement can be managed in an orderly manner,” which, she said, “depends in part on intensified cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.”
She stressed that the European Commission is working actively alongside James Wolfensohn, the “Quartet” special envoy, in support of his efforts to coordinate the international response to the unfolding situation.
Major donor
Ferrero-Waldner reminded that the European Union is “the leading donor to the Palestinian Authority”, delivering about €250m per year in humanitarian assistance and support for governance and economic development.
She told EJP that the post-withdrawal package of about € 60 million “would enable the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities effectively.” The Commission will also continue to play a leading role in ensuring effective coordination with other donors,” she added.