- Dec 29, 2008
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Jerusalem heaved a sigh of relief Monday when the 28 EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels adjourned without issuing a statement adopting either UN Security Council resolution 2334 or the declaration that emerged from the Paris conference on Sunday.
The Council of the European Union met for a discussion on the Middle East Peace Process without releasing any conclusions. Israel has in recent days worked to prevent the council from issuing a final statement that would adopt the language of the Security Council's anti-settlement resolution or the Paris declaration.
The Jerusalem Post has learned that France was pressing inside the meeting for the EU to adopt the Paris declaration, but these efforts were rebuffed by Britain and some Balkan states keen on getting off on the “right foot” with US President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office on Friday.
The British Foreign Office gave voice to this sentiment on Sunday, when it refused to endorse the Paris declaration.
"We have particular reservations about an international conference intended to advance peace between the parties that does not involve them - indeed which is taking place against the wishes of the Israelis - and which is taking place just days before the transition to a new American President when the US will be the ultimate guarantor of any agreement," a Foreign Office statement said.
The Paris declaration reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, and called to stop violence and “ongoing settlement activity.” It also called on each side to “to refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of negotiations on final-status issues, including, inter alia, on Jerusalem, borders, security, refugees and which they will not recognize.”
Britain, Balkan countries block EU from adopting Paris declaration
Trump has not even taken office yet but he is already changing the world for the better.
The Council of the European Union met for a discussion on the Middle East Peace Process without releasing any conclusions. Israel has in recent days worked to prevent the council from issuing a final statement that would adopt the language of the Security Council's anti-settlement resolution or the Paris declaration.
The Jerusalem Post has learned that France was pressing inside the meeting for the EU to adopt the Paris declaration, but these efforts were rebuffed by Britain and some Balkan states keen on getting off on the “right foot” with US President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office on Friday.
The British Foreign Office gave voice to this sentiment on Sunday, when it refused to endorse the Paris declaration.
"We have particular reservations about an international conference intended to advance peace between the parties that does not involve them - indeed which is taking place against the wishes of the Israelis - and which is taking place just days before the transition to a new American President when the US will be the ultimate guarantor of any agreement," a Foreign Office statement said.
The Paris declaration reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, and called to stop violence and “ongoing settlement activity.” It also called on each side to “to refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of negotiations on final-status issues, including, inter alia, on Jerusalem, borders, security, refugees and which they will not recognize.”
Britain, Balkan countries block EU from adopting Paris declaration
Trump has not even taken office yet but he is already changing the world for the better.
