In spite of the formal adoption at Sharm-El-Sheik last week of the peace plan for the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (the so-called Road Map, presented by the Quartet composed of the USA, UNO, EU and Russia), the violence continues. Over the last few days, over thirty people, most of them civilians, have been killed in kamikaze attacks and reprisals by the Israeli army. The peace plan was officially unveiled by US president George W. Bush, present in Egypt together with Sharon and Abu Mazen. But one of the essential conditions for the success of the Plan as pointed out also by Romano Prodi is the participation of all the components of the Quartet in its implementation. For this reason, two European missions to the area (Syria, Egypt, Jerusalem) have taken place over the last few days: missions sent both by the outgoing Greek Presidency and by the imminent Italian Presidency of the EU. Both had contacts with the political leaders of the two sides and with the special EU representative for the Middle East, the Spaniard Angel Moratinos. Palestinian Premier Abu Mazen is expected in Rome later in June.
