Press Release: European Parliament Delegation for the relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council

Dear comrades,

Bellow please find a press release issued by the delegation of the European Parliament with the support of G. Toussas, MEP with KKE after a recent visit in Palestine

The International Section of the CC of the KKE

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Press release -- 3/5/2007

European Parliament Delegation for the relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council

The delegation calls unanimously for a full engagement with the Palestinian National Unity Government and urges the EU to give it support with every possible means of technical and political assistance. The delegation considers that the European Union should resume direct payment to the Palestinian Authority.

The European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council's visit came following the formation of the National Unity Government, based on the Mecca Agreement, and the re-launch of the Arab Peace Initiative.

The members of the European Parliament’s official delegation talked in Ramallah with President Abbas who emphasized the need to recognize the government. The delegation has also met with Prime Minister Haniyeh, other members of the cabinet and MPs as well as NGOs, private sector representatives, and the EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah.

Based on these meetings, the delegation considers that the National Unity Government programme, which is binding for all ministers of the cabinet, regardless of their political affiliation, reflects the three requirements laid down by the Quartet. The delegation calls on the European Union to engage fully with the Unity Government, to urge within the Quartet in favor of its recognition, and to resume direct aid to the Palestinian Authority as a matter of urgency.

The MEPs call on Israel to transfer Palestinian tax and customs revenues especially since its refusal to do so resulted in thousands of teachers and other public employees going unpaid. The increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people and goods are the main cause of the deterioration of the social and economic situation of the Palestinians. This crisis have escalated considerably since the decision last year to suspend direct payments to the Palestinian Authority despite the launching of the Temporary International Mechanism and significantly increased project-aid.

Delegation Chairman, Mr Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, warned that unless the government was given support by the international community, the situation in Palestine might deteriorate rapidly, leading to violent confrontations with consequences to the entire Middle East.

Discussions focused also on the issue of the 11 000 Palestinian prisoners, notably the necessity to immediately release speaker Dweik, ministers and MPs, the efforts to obtain the immediate release of the abducted Israeli soldier Shalit, the need for urgent release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, and, in the case of resumption of direct aid, the readiness of the government to reestablish and strengthen the infrastructures necessary for a sound administration of the finances of the Palestinian Authority so that transparency and efficiency are ensured.

The delegation is composed of:

• Mr Kyriacos Triantaphyllides MEP – Chairman (GUE/NGL)
• Mr Proinsias De Rossa MEP – Vice-Chairman (PSE)
• Mrs Rodi Kratsa MEP – EP Vice-President (EPP-ED)
• Mrs Luisa Morgantini MEP – EP Vice-President (GUE/NGL)
• Mr John Bowis MEP (EPP-ED)
• Mrs Frederika Brepoels MEP (EPP-ED)
• Mr Chris Davies MEP (ALDE)
• Mrs Caroline Lucas MEP (Greens/ALE)
• Mrs Jamila Madeira MEP (PSE)
• Mr Hannes Swoboda MEP (PSE)
• Mr Georgios Toussas MEP (GUE/NGL)
• Mr Johannes Voggenhuber MEP (Greens/ALE)