Abu Dhabi, May 20: There is a lot of potential for more cooperation between the GCC and European Union (EU), Marc Otte, the EU special representative for the Middle East peace process said on Wednesday.
Otte, who is working to implement EU’s objectives for the Middle East peace process, which include a two sovereign states solution for Israel and Palestine, as well as an end to the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon conflicts, is on a tour of the Gulf, where he had meetings with ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE.
“We have to stop fooling the Palestinians,” urged Otte, after his meeting with Dr Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
It is, first of all, land that has to be given to Palestine, in order for the nation to form a sovereign state.
“My visit here is not only to seek political support, but also help for the Palestinian Authority,” he claimed.
“There is a sense of urgency in the region because of other concerns to solve this conflict.”
The “concerns” Otte referred to were largely Iran and its nuclear programme and Iraq, feared to become even more unstable after the US will withdraw all its troops out.
Rational solutions such as increased education and cultural awareness that GCC countries have come up with to solve these concerns are much welcomed by the EU.
“UAE is helping with a lot of resources and humanitarian actions, such as the housing project in Gaza, and today I discussed with the minister of state to continue proper health and education solutions for Palestine,” said Otte.
–Agencies