EU says it will help to ease the movement of Palestinians especially in Rafah

Saturday July 28, 2007 16:46 by Mayssa Abu Ghazalah - IMEMC News

A meeting took place between Ibrahim Abduh Sarsur, member of the Knesset, with head of the Arab list and vice president of the European Commission in Israel, Mr. Manuel Giafrit and manager of projects Mr. Eric Galvin.

During the meeting the group discussed the latest political situation especially within the Palestinian Authority, and its lack of progress in the road to peace.

All parties agreed that there was an urgent need for efforts to revive the peace process. In addition to helping the Palestinian people in overcoming their internal differences, and help alleviate the suffering caused by this, and the oppressive Israeli occupation.

Sheikh Ibrahim Abdel reiterated this, in a call upon the Palestinian people to resolve their internal differences as soon as possible. Including encouragement to sit at the negotiating table in hope of preventing the deterioration of the situation including the shedding of yet more innocent blood. He pointed out that the only solution to the current world wide security crisis lies in the fair and just solution for the Palestinians. This included establishing a fully sovereign state, with Jerusalem as its capital and also the return of refugees, with the application of international legitimacy.

In addition Mr. Manuel Giafrit stated that the European Union would work to ease the restrictions on movement of Palestinians, especially in Rafah, which is currently the only exit a point for the Gaza Strip population. It also touched on the conditions of the Arab minority in Israel and the obstacles faced in the search to have equality with the Jewish majority. The vice president explained the responsibilities of the required European Commission projects specific for the Arab community in Israel including the fields of cultural, economic and civil areas.

The participants agreed upon preparing a document highlighting the projects required by the Arab Israeli's for submission to the European Union. Following this was the discussion on how to prepare the ground for implementation of these projects.

The Deputy Chairman of the European Commission confirmed that the European Union is pleased to provide support and aid for projects it deems appropriate, effective and which contribute to advancing progress in the Arab sector. He stated "The European Union will support any project that is presented with in depth studies having all required documents."

At the end of the meeting Sheikh Ibrahim Abdullah thanked the officials of the European Union, with their assistance in providing a helping hand to the many projects. The parties agreed to hold close working meetings in order to deepen communication and identify areas of work. With the goal of strengthening the relationship between the European Union and the Arab minority in generally and more specifically the Islamic movements.

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