The EU is making a concerted effort to help the peace process in the Middle East. Meeting in Brussels on 21/22 July, the foreign ministers of the 25 met their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts to discuss the procedures for the implementation of the road map called the ‘only way’ to re-establish peace and the European contribution to the restoration of peace in the region. The Council, which has not closed its doors to dialogue with Gasser Arafat, reaffirmed the European strategy of exerting dual pressure on the Sharon and Maze governments with a view to compliance with the commitments contained in the peace accord signed in April. The Commission confirmed its intention of pursuing the ‘European Marshall Plan’ of financial assistance to the development of the peace process. The Council has also expressed its concern about the Iranian nuclear programme, emphasising with satisfaction the creation of the provisional ‘Iraqi Ruling Council’. The Italian proposal of presenting the UN with a joint European resolution for a moratorium on the death penalty. The Council lastly discussed the situation in the African region of the Great Lakes, bilateral relations with the countries of the former Soviet Union and the violations of human rights in Cuba.
