Press Release: EU Commissioner Louis Michel calls on all parties to boost efforts to preserve the humanitarian space in the Middle East

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, is assessing the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, in the context of a five day visit to the region. In a speech on the humanitarian dimension of the Middle East Peace Process, delivered on 27 April 2007 at a conference in Jerusalem, the Commissioner underlined the need for all parties involved to respect the core element of international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians. In particular, he recalled the need to ensure access to the victims of conflict, and urged all parties to respect the humanitarian space.