Peace process
June 11, 2009
"A lot of important things are taking place," he told reporters in Jerusalem. The EU's foreign policy coordinator said that US President Barack Obama's recent speech to the Muslim world had been a crucial step in the right direction. Obama had urged the two sides in the Middle East conflict to find a lasting settlement.
Solana also mentioned last week's elections in Lebanon where Iranian-backed Hezbollah failed to capitalize on anti-Israeli sentiment.
Solana said it was a good time to "see how we can bring back the situation to something that can be moving in the right direction." Last year, the peace process was dealt a setback by the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Solana added that he expected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to endorse a two-state solution and to freeze Israeli settlement in the Palestinian territories.
"That's what we expect to hear and I am sure something of that nature will happen," Solana said in reference to a speech Netanyahu announced for Sunday where he will outline his government's policies on the peace process.
So far, Netanyahu who heads a right-of-center coalition, has refused to publicly back a Palestinian state or order a halt to settlement construction.
Solana is to continue his tour of the Middle East by meeting with Palestinian, Lebanese and Egyptian leaders.
ai/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold