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De Rossa welcomes Ashton's comments on the Middle East

Issued : Wednesday 10 March, 2010

Speaking in the European Parliament today on Europe's Common Foreign and Security Policy in which High Representative Ashton participated, Labour MEP for Dublin, and Chair of the EP Delegation to Palestine, Proinsias De Rossa said:
“I congratulate Vice-President Ashton on her speech which had vision and substance. The problem some people have with you is that you are neither a macho General nor a narrow nationalist.

“I welcome in particular your emphasis on the rule of law within and between countries and urge that you actively insist on the rule of law in and between all countries and territories in the Middle East.

“The Middle East is perhaps the region most likely at present to stumble into a widespread conflagration with devastating consequences for all the citizens in the region and the world at large.

“You must work closely with the USA and insist that the key comprehensive statement by the Council on the 8th December last, which laid out the European criteria for peace in the Middle East based on a two state solution, is central as a framework for progress in the proposed negotiations.

“I also recommend strongly that you promote a Middle East nuclear free zone as the best long term strategy for de-escalating tensions over the acquisition of nuclear weaponry in the region.”