Israel Must Seek Security Through Peace: Solana

Google (Link) - AFP (June 14, 2009)

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Sunday called on Israel to seek security through peace while warning that future talks with the European Union would depend on "Israel's behaviour."

"What's important is to work to convince Israel that its security will be better guaranteed with peace and I think that President Obama clearly explained this in his speech and when he met the Israeli prime minister is Washington," Solana told journalists in Cairo.

US President Barack Obama has been seeking to restart the stalled peace process since taking office in January, with his envoy George Mitchell having just toured the region and reaffirmed US support for a two-state solution.

"There is currently an identical approach shared by us and the new US administration concerning the Middle East's problems and the way to act to resolve these problems," Solana said following talks with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit.

Political dialogue between the EU and Israel would continue, Solana added, "but it depends on Israel's behaviour."

Solana has previously hailed a speech by Obama in Cairo on June 4 as opening a "new page" in relations with the Arab-Muslim world and resolving the Middle East conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to unveil his Mideast peace policy on Sunday, but observers do not expect him to bow to US pressure and back a Palestinian state, the cornerstone of international efforts to end the decades-old conflict. †

Europe ~ Israel ~ Obama ~ Solana