MIDDLE EAST:EU LEADERS called on Israel and the Palestinians to engage urgently in a new round of peace talks, saying the "Arab spring" revolts underlined the need for progress in the stalled Middle East peace process.
With Palestinian moves to seek UN recognition of a Palestinian state in September likely to spark divisions in Europe, EU leaders agreed at the summit on the need for a relaunch of the peace process.
They backed plans by European foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to facilitate a meeting next month of the Middle East Quartet – comprising the EU, the US, Russia and the UN – and said all parties should abstain from “unilateral actions” which are not conducive to a deal.
“Fundamental changes across the Arab world highlight the need for progress on the Middle East peace process,” the leaders said.
“Only the resumption of direct negotiations could provide a realistic chance of improving the situation on the ground, thus leading to a lasting and comprehensive solution.”
The leaders said the situation in Gaza remained of concern and called on Hamas to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured by the militants five years ago. The leaders also condemned the Syrian government’s brutal suppression of pro-democracy protesters.
While saying the regime in Damascus had called into question its own legitimacy, they did not call for the departure of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
At Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s instigation, the leaders expressed concern for the process surrounding the trials and sentencing of opposition members in Bahrain. They called on the authorities to ensure “full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
The leaders also reiterated their call on Muammar Gadafy to relinquish power in Libya immediately.
