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Solana says common Arab positions emerged from Kuwait summit

By Nawab Khan

BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed his happiness here Wednesday that pledges for aid and reconstruction of Gaza were made at the Arab Economic Summit which concluded in Kuwait yesterday.
"It is true that the Arab League had problems inside but I think after the meeting in Kuwait some common positions have come out. I am happy to see that pledges, money have come out of Kuwait," said Solana in reply to KUNA's question on the summit.
"I hope very much that it will not be only statements. It will be a reality. What we pledge we do it," he said.
"I think the cooperation between the EU and the Arab world is very, very deep," he added.
Solana was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Serbian Member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nebojsa Radmanovic.
The EU foreign policy chief said the ceasefire in Gaza is still fragile. "All efforts must be made to make it solid and durable. The EU is committed to help," he said.
It is also very important that Gaza is open and international help can arrive to those in need, he said.
Solana stressed that two dynamics are important for the future, inter-Palestinian dynamics and second a real peace process.
"The situation will not be stable until the final solution is achieved and all efforts have to be placed in that direction," he stressed.
Solana said the EU is ready to deploy monitors at the Rafah crossing and even to extend it to other points if the interested parties agree.
Referring to the meeting between EU foreign ministers and Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni in Brussels tonight, Solana said he hoped the meeting will be "constructive and positive." EU foreign ministers will also hold a separate meeting with foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority in Brussels on Sunday to discuss the Gaza situation. (end) nk.ema KUNA 211711 Jan 09NNNN