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BRUSSELS, April 29 (KUNA) -- An official cross-party European Parliament
Delegation, on a fact finding mission to the West Bank and East Jerusalem,
concluded their visit on Friday and called on the European Union to grasp the
opportunity presented by the ending of the division between Fatah and Hamas,
and take an active role in bringing a peaceful end to Israel's 44 year
occupation of Palestinian territory.
An EP statement released in Brussels said the delegation called on the EU
to support the Reconciliation Agreement between Fatah and amass Hamas
announced on Wednesday, and to work to ensure the speedy establishment of the
promised Technical government of national unity .
"The refusal of the EU to talk with Palestinian representatives elected in
2006 undoubtedly contributed to the divisions between Fatah and Hamas and set
back the peace process by years and has resulted in further untold misery and
death for thousands of Palestinians and many Israelis. It is a mistake that
must not be repeated", said the Delegation Chairman Proinsias De Rossa who is
from Ireland.
"Europe has the opportunity now to restore its credibility in the region by
being consistent, by engaging with all the Palestinian political parties, and
by persuading Israel that partial solutions and piecemeal concessions will not
bring peace and security for Israelis or Palestinians," he said.
De Rossa also accused the EU of failing up to now to apply any serious
pressure on Israel to enter final status negotiations to bring this
intolerable situation to an end. (end)
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