Solana urges Israel to set Abbas date

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 13/01/05

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is to encourage Israeli moves toward a meeting with Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas during talks with Israel's leaders today (Thursday 13 January).

Solana is also to press for Israeli concessions, such as the release of political prisoners ahead of Palestinian parliamentary elections on 17 July, to strengthen the president-elect's domestic standing, say diplomats.

As part of a five-day visit to the Middle East, Solana met with Abbas as well as with the Egyptian and Jordanian leaders to explore "the avenue of opportunity" that now exist to push the peace process forward. He was scheduled to meet the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom on Thursday.

Solana's trip is to be followed by a visit from External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who will visit Israel and Palestinian territories in the coming weeks.

The EU is keen to focus its efforts on strengthening Abbas' still delicate position at the head of the Palestinian Authority. Observers say Abbas has little time to improve the day-to-day lives of Palestinians before his support base begins to erode.

Preview of a five-day visit to the Middle East by EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. During talks with Israel's leaders on 13 January 2005 Solana will encourage Israeli moves toward a meeting with Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas.