European Union and Arab League foreign ministers yesterday hailed this week’s meeting in Malta as a historic occasion, with Maltese foreign minister Michael Frendo commenting that “with a tremendous spirit to achieve, all expectations were surpassed”.
The 49 foreign ministers convening in Malta this week were also unanimous in their criticism that the Palestinian-Israeli peace process agreed upon in Annapolis, and hosted by US president George Bush last year, was faltering and failing to achieve the desired results.
At the Annapolis meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, had agreed to conclude a peace deal by the end of this year.
Both Arab League and EU delegates agreed on the immediate establishment of a high level working group to thrash out the issues raised in Malta, and to follow up on the Malta Communiqué published at the meeting’s end.
The idea had been floated by Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud Al Faisal and warmly welcomed by EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who promised immediate, as well as future action on the initiative.
In the Communiqué the EU and Arab League jointly called for an immediate reopening of the crossing between Gaza and Israel, while expressing “deep concern” about the current situation in Gaza. The border, they said, must be opened to allow for the supply of goods and services, including fuel, on a continuous basis.
In the Communiqué the ministers also reaffirmed their support for the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which they affirmed was the only way to achieve a peaceful two-state solution.
Regarding Iraq, they stressed the importance of respecting the unity, integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, and called for the process of national reconciliation of the Iraqi people to be advanced.
Speaking yesterday at the meeting’s closing press conference, Maltese foreign minister Michael Frendo described the meeting as “tremendously significant” in that the whole of the Arab League and the European Union – representing 49 countries and a population of 800 million – had established a framework for future cooperation.
“There was a mutual consensus on the preoccupation that the Annapolis agreement was not moving forward as it should be,” Dr Frendo said. “There was also a consensus that the Annapolis spirit must be kept alive so as to find a solution to what is one of the longest lasting conflicts in the world.”
Other issues on the table at the two-day meeting wrapping up yesterday, were climate change, energy policy and intercultural dialogue. Dr Frendo cited breakthroughs in all areas, and that momentum on the issues had now increased.
All parties involved agreed the discussions had been fruitful and were undertaken with a spirit of mutual respect, openness and frankness.
Arab League head Amr Moussa described the Malta meeting as an “event of major proportions”.
Referring to the Annapolis agreement, he said it had “not yet produced the desired results, nor inspired hope that it would be concluded by the end of 2008 as promised”.
Saudi Arabian foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, currently on a tour of EU states, commented, “Many came to the meeting with low expectations, but are leaving with optimism for future cooperation. The Europeans and Arabs here today are equally anxious that the Annapolis agreement will be successful and achieve a two-state solution. “
He also cited broad consensus on issues such as Iraq and Lebanon.
He also heartily thanked Dr Frendo for his “stubbornness” and “persistence” in “forcing” the meeting. Dr Frendo launched the initiative for the talks in September 2006, with a letter to the EU presidency. “At previous EU-Arab league meetings,” he said, all had been careful about their comments, but during this free-for-all meeting everything was discussed openly.”