Cathy Ashton in the Middle East, live from Washington
(BRUSSELS2) As an echo to the repeated criticisms of several countries - such as France and Spain - on the absence of Europe in the Middle East, Cathy Ashton, the High Representative of the EU, has decided on a surprise trip in the Middle East, this Thursday and Friday (as announced by Twitter). On this occasion, she should have "high level" meetings: with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the "Palestinian President", Mahmoud Abbas and the special envoy of the United States for peace in the Middle East, George Mitchell.
The objective of the visit is indeed this: “encouraging Israelis and Palestinians to? find a satisfactory way to keep the negotiations going and gaining momentum " and " demonstrate the support of the Union a? the continuation of direct Israeli-Palestinian discussions after Israel's decision not to extend the moratorium on settlement”. Regrettable decision. Cathy Asthon said it again: i regret the israeli decision not to extend the moratorium on colonization. During my visit I will reiterate the call to both parties to act responsibly and choose the path of peace. There is no alternative to? a negotiated solution. »
In doing so, Cathy Ashton scores a point by showing her interest in these talks, which she seemed to have neglected by preferring a trip to China (1) and also her interpersonal skills to obtain high-level appointments. But she does it in a clumsy way, in my opinion, by explaining, very officially, that she decided on this trip " after speaking to US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell and Quartet Envoy Tony Blair. Not a word, not a single one, from European ministers. It's a weird process. We would not want to accredit the idea that Cathy is under the orders of Washington and Labor that we would not do it otherwise...
(1) New exchange of letters between Cathy and this "dear Bernard"
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
