ISRAEL ELECTIONS: SOLANA (EU) TO OLMERT, "BUILDING PEACE THROUGH A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION WITH PALESTINIANS"

” “Javier Solana, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy, today congratulated Ehud Olmert, next prime minister of the country, on the result of the Israeli elections. "I urged Olmert – explained Solana – to make every possible effort to build peace by solving the Middle Eastern conflict through a negotiated solution. I assured him the European Union is willing, as usual, to assist him in every possible way in this process". Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations, also commented the event, stating that "along with the recent elections in Palestine, the vote in Israel will remarkably affect progress towards a peaceful solution of the Israelo-Palestinian conflict". The Commissioner added: "These elections are important for Israel, for the Middle East and for Europe". Looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with the new government, Ferrero-Waldner explained that "Israel and Europe share many goals and values. I trust we will build a partnership with the new government".” “