The 27 are trying to define a common position on Palestine

(BRUSSELS2) The 27 Foreign Ministers are meeting again on Monday (18 July) with a delicate subject to resolve. How to have a common view on the question of the recognition of the Palestinian State? After the failure of the Quartet's discussions on Monday, its 4 members (Europe, USA, Russia, UN) not having been able to agree on a final declaration, the question is crucial today. No political obstacle now prevents the Palestinian authorities from requesting state recognition from the UN General Assembly. This request will also be made by the Arab League; the latter confirmed this on Thursday (July 14), in Doha. But European views remain divergent.

Europeans under pressure

The Europeans are put under pressure in particular by the two protagonists (Palestinians and Israelis). Danny Ayalon, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, has thus taken up his pilgrim's staff and visited several capitals, particularly European ones, in recent weeks and does not disdain either to meet certain "elders" who retain influence in their country. He was to meet former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Aznar and former Premier of Northern Ireland Lord David Trimble as well as former US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton.

Still divergent views

Only half a dozen states support this recognition (Cyprus*, Malta*, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Sweden). Others are close (France, United Kingdom, Finland...). At the antipode, some countries are hostile to this recognition (Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic...). Between the two, many countries are torn between strong ties with Israel and support for the Palestinian cause. This is particularly the case of Poland, which holds the presidency of the European Union. " We must also be sure that Europe will have a single voice on Palestine, and that there will be no individual position. explains a Polish official.

According to an EU diplomat consulted by 'B2', Monday's meeting may not really progress; in this case, the Europeans will repeat their classic position on the need to seek a " solution based on the coexistence of two States, with an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Israel and Palestine, coexisting in peace and security ", with, if necessary, exchange of territories, settlement of refugees and the status of Jerusalem " as the capital of the two states », accompanied by a strong condemnation of any construction (colonization) in the occupied territories.