A delegation from ECESG met EU Foreign Policy coordinator Javier Solana
Press release 09/07/2009
A delegation from ECESG met EU Foreign Policy coordinator JavierSolana.
A high-profile delegation of the European Campaign to End the siege on Gaza, (ECESG) met on Wednesday, the EU Foreign Policy coordinator, Javier Solana. The meeting discussed ways of ending the blockade imposed on 1.5 million in Gaza, now in its fourth year. The delegation discussed the possibility of reviewing trade treaty between EU and Israel.
The delegation chaired by Arafat Madi, Head of ECESG met Solana in his office in Brussels. The delegation included a number of EU parliamentarians and politicians notably, British Baroness Jenny Tonge(head of European campaign to release Palestinian MPs), Clare Short MP and former minister in Tony Blair’s Govt., EU parliament vice president, Louisa Morgantini and Majed alzeer the general director of the Palestinian Return Centre.
The delegation offered its perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It requested the EU to intensify its efforts in solving the cause in the Middle East as Europe is a key player in the area. Moreover, it has to press for the immediate need to end the siege on Gaza as the people face grim reality of the siege on a daily basis. Additionally, the issue of Palestinian prisoners was put on table especially those Palestinian MPs incarcerated in Israeli prisons.
Delegation member and director of Palestinian Return Center, Majed alzeer, said that, “The meeting was extremely comprehensive and focused on various sensitive issues related to Palestinians. We have requested that Palestinians be given their rights and an international framework in providing for these rights had to be created. The delegation expressed that there is a need to push Israeli leadership to abide by International laws and respect the rights of Palestinians.”
In a press release alzeer pointed out that the delegation demanded from the EU to suspend upgrading the relations with Israel expected to happen next year.
“It’s an ironic stance that EU officials still don’t talk with representatives of Palestinians who were democratically elected. The will of the Palestinian people should be respected. There is a legal Palestinian government formed in Gaza and has won the majority in the parliament, headed by Ismail Haniya.” The delegation told Solana.
For his part, EU Foreign Policy coordinator, Javier Solana expressed the EU dissatisfaction towards Israeli policies particularly its illegal settlements policy emphasizing that the EU stance consider settlements as illegal and a violation of International law.
ECESG delegation also provided Solana with reports about the campaign’s visits in Gaza and the grim humanitarian conditions there, which requires further international efforts just to meet the basic needs of the people in Gaza .
A delegation from ECESG met EU Foreign Policy coordinator JavierSolana.
A high-profile delegation of the European Campaign to End the siege on Gaza, (ECESG) met on Wednesday, the EU Foreign Policy coordinator, Javier Solana. The meeting discussed ways of ending the blockade imposed on 1.5 million in Gaza, now in its fourth year. The delegation discussed the possibility of reviewing trade treaty between EU and Israel.
The delegation chaired by Arafat Madi, Head of ECESG met Solana in his office in Brussels. The delegation included a number of EU parliamentarians and politicians notably, British Baroness Jenny Tonge(head of European campaign to release Palestinian MPs), Clare Short MP and former minister in Tony Blair’s Govt., EU parliament vice president, Louisa Morgantini and Majed alzeer the general director of the Palestinian Return Centre.
The delegation offered its perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It requested the EU to intensify its efforts in solving the cause in the Middle East as Europe is a key player in the area. Moreover, it has to press for the immediate need to end the siege on Gaza as the people face grim reality of the siege on a daily basis. Additionally, the issue of Palestinian prisoners was put on table especially those Palestinian MPs incarcerated in Israeli prisons.
Delegation member and director of Palestinian Return Center, Majed alzeer, said that, “The meeting was extremely comprehensive and focused on various sensitive issues related to Palestinians. We have requested that Palestinians be given their rights and an international framework in providing for these rights had to be created. The delegation expressed that there is a need to push Israeli leadership to abide by International laws and respect the rights of Palestinians.”
In a press release alzeer pointed out that the delegation demanded from the EU to suspend upgrading the relations with Israel expected to happen next year.
“It’s an ironic stance that EU officials still don’t talk with representatives of Palestinians who were democratically elected. The will of the Palestinian people should be respected. There is a legal Palestinian government formed in Gaza and has won the majority in the parliament, headed by Ismail Haniya.” The delegation told Solana.
For his part, EU Foreign Policy coordinator, Javier Solana expressed the EU dissatisfaction towards Israeli policies particularly its illegal settlements policy emphasizing that the EU stance consider settlements as illegal and a violation of International law.
ECESG delegation also provided Solana with reports about the campaign’s visits in Gaza and the grim humanitarian conditions there, which requires further international efforts just to meet the basic needs of the people in Gaza .