A+ A-

EP urges more active EU role in Palestine question

BRUSSELS, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- The EP Thursday welcomed the Israel-Palestine ceasefire pact and urged the EU to participate actively in providing humanitarian aid, helping in the reconstruction of Gaza and to engage more in facilitating the peace process.
In the resolution backed by 447 votes against 143, the EP commends Egypt which brokered the ceasefire pact and praised its efforts to mediate a long-term ceasefire Israelis and Palestinians. They encourage Egypt to also mediate permanent ceasefire talks.
The EU has to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza strip and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza, says the resolution, including by participating with the "maximum effort" in the International Donors Conference on the 12 October in Cairo.
It also calls on EU and EU Member States to play a "more active political role" in efforts to achieve a "just and lasting peace" between Israelis and Palestinians. It voices support for the efforts of the EU High Representative in Foreign Affairs to re-launch the peace process.
It expresses concern about the reports that humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza are being intentionally blocked and asked to make sure that the EU aid only benefits Palestinian people and not terrorists.
The resolution welcomes the ongoing dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian authority and encourages an intra-Palestinian reconciliation between the Hamas and the Palestinian Authority It underlines EP support for the "policy of peaceful resistance" of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and call on the EU to support his leadership and "his latest initiative to unblock the conflict".
It also stresses that there is no long-term stability in Gaza without reconstruction and economic revival, which is undermined by the lack of free movement of people and goods. (end) nK.hm