THE EU's appointment of an envoy to represent it in the Middle, East may not now happen by the end of the month, as originally planned, writes Mark Brennock in Strasbourg.
The informal EU summit in Dublin at the start of this month decided to appoint an envoy as an indicator of its determination to, have a larger role in the Middle East Peace process.
Israel has made clear its hostility to the idea of an enhanced political role for the EU, preferring to retain the generally more sympathetic US as the sole international power-broker in the region.
A meeting of EU foreign ministers next Monday was originally, supposed to decide on the precise role of the envoy, and to make an appointment.
But the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said yesterday that, while the matter would be discussed, an appointment may not be made at Monday's meeting.
At a press conference in Strasbourg, Mr Spring rejected a suggestion that the delay was "another indication of the slow pace at which the European Union works".
"The mandate for the envoy now needs to be clarified," he said. "There have been discussions at various committees about it, and it will be discussed again next week. I can't say whether agreement will be reached and a name emerge."
Mr Spring also rejected suggestions that there was tension between the EU and the US over European involvement in the Middle East peace process. "There is no element of competition to this," he said.
He said that the EU was the largest trading partner for all countries in the Middle East, and the largest donor of aid to the Palestinian Authority. It therefore had a major interest in peace, economic regeneration and security in the region. He had discussed the envoy proposal with the Israeli government "and I didn't get a negative reaction".