MINISTER FOR Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin arrived in Cairo last night for the first leg of a three-day visit to the Middle East, during which he will discuss with Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian officials recent efforts to restore momentum to the peace process, writes Mary Fitzgerald,Foreign Affairs Correspondent, in Cairo.
Today the Minister will meet Egyptian government officials and secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa for a briefing on efforts to build on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza, which was brokered by Egypt and took effect on June 19th.
Mr Martin will also discuss regional issues, including recent developments in Lebanon, and the situation in Sudan, a member of the Arab League, and its neighbour Chad, where Irish troops have deployed as part of a UN-mandated EU mission.
In a meeting scheduled with Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Mr Martin will review efforts to expand economic ties between Egypt and Ireland, as a follow-up to the trade mission he led last November.
On Thursday the Minister will visit the West Bank for meetings with officials from the UN relief agency UNRWA in Bethlehem and with Palestinian representatives in Ramallah, including prime minister Salam Fayyad.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said the focus of the meetings would be on issues including the political process, the humanitarian and security situation and the effect of Israeli settlements and measures such as the security barrier. The EU's role as the largest donor to the Palestinian people would also be discussed. Ireland's assistance has risen by 70 per cent since 2005, to €7.5 million last year.
In Tel Aviv, Mr Martin will meet Israeli officials including foreign minister Tzipi Livni to discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and broader regional developments. He will also focus on bilateral political and economic relations between Ireland and Israel.
The Minister will lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on the final day of his visit.
Speaking ahead of his arrival in Egypt, Mr Martin described the visit as an "important signal" of the continuing commitment of the Government to supporting a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the establishment of a Palestinian state, and this remains one of the most important foreign policy objectives of the European Union," he said.
"I look forward to discussing with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian political leaders how we and our EU partners can support urgent efforts to restore momentum to the political process. I want to discuss openly the prospects for peace at a difficult time, building on the ceasefire in Gaza and the series of contacts between the parties which are now under way across the region.
"In particular, I look forward to visiting the occupied territories and to discussing with Palestinian people the conditions of their daily life and their hopes and needs for the future."
Noting Ireland's strong relations with Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Minister said he wanted to develop political, economic, social and cultural ties.