Peace in the Middle East and intercultural dialogue: these are the two priorities hat Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the European Parliament, highlights at the start of 2008. As the EU premises are still closed for the holidays, Poettering writes his reflections on the website of the EU Assembly: "Why can’t the EU he states be an example for the other regions of the world? In the past, there was nearly one war per European generation; in the end, we learnt our lesson. This should be feasible in the Middle East as well". "Our great ambition he goes on must be for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and find shared interests". In the year Europe dedicates to intercultural dialogue, "it is up to us to do all we can to support dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis and involve all the countries of the region." "We should work harder, not just by providing financial help concludes Poettering -, but by becoming more decisive in the peace process". The EU Parliament will reopen next week, while the first plenary session of 2008 will be held in Strasbourg from 14th to 17th January. The agenda includes a speech from the Great Mufti of Syria.
