Peace in the Middle East will depend, like in Europe, on building stable institutions

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Sep 2006

The European Parliament today discussed the recent conflict and fragile peace in the Middle East. The final compromise text to be voted tomorrow includes, at the request of Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE Group, a reference to the creation of a EUROMED Development Bank as the best guarantor of lasting peace and human development (paragraph 28). Another important contribution of the ALDE Group to the final resolution was the request of an enhanced role for the Euromed Parliamentary Assembly where Israeli and Arab representatives can meet and address tensions through dialogue rather than war. (paragraph 27).

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, Graham Watson said: 'EU Foreign Policy must amount to more than simply sweeping up the pieces. If we are to raise a new generation which is not steeped in fear and intolerance we must encourage more joint ventures to connect Europe, Israel, and the Arab World. Ideas are not lacking. During his time as President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi argued forcefully for the creation of a Euro-Arab Development Bank, financed and managed jointly and equally by countries to the north and south of the Mediterranean basin, an idea I would like to see become reality. Likewise, the foundation of two Euro-Arab universities - in Cordoba and Constantine, for example - would create the space for greater inter-cultural understanding and allow a resolution of some of the thornier episodes of history between religions.'

Philippe Morillon, (UDF, France) Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ALDE negotiator on the joint text emphasised that: 'The temporary United Nations force in Lebanon will be reinforced by the European Union who will play a significant role; we have every right to be proud of this. It is essential to make a difference in a situation as difficult as this one, the troops deployed will have to be respected and in order for this to happen, they will have to be strong, i.e. be equipped with adequate means to carry out their mission and with the duty and obligation to implement it, not only when they will need to legitimately defend themselves when their soldiers are threatened but each time the success of the mission depends on it.'

At the end of his intervention, General Morillon made reference to the mandate of future EU troops to be sent out to Lebanon: 'I ask the Council and the Commission to analyse if the organisation of the European forces to be deployed in Lebanon can be made in a similar way with that of the 'European Force' deployed in the Democrat Republic of the Congo, thus allowing the European Union to take its own responsibility '.