By NNN-Petra,
Amman : High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana has said that the EU will use political pressure to achieve what can be achieved in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
Solana told a press conference here Sunday after a two-day visit that political pressure is part of international relations, adding that the international community and the EU should help maintain the continuity of negotiations.
Negotiations, he affirmed, must have a timetable.
He said that despite the US and Israeli elections, there is still hope to reach a tangible development before the end of 2008.
“Momentum of the negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis will continue until next year, if nothing was achieved this year,” Solana said after concluding a regional tour that took him to Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.
Responding to a question on the EU role in ending the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, Solana said: “Our policies and goal is to open border crossings before people and goods, but opening these crossings is not our responsibility.”
Solana said the EU was ready to play a role when the Syrian-Israeli talks become direct, adding that France and Turkey are playing a good role in the meantime.
Earlier, Solana met with King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Nadir Al Dahabi and Foreign Minister Salaheddin Al Bashir for talks on the peace process and relations between regional countries and the EU.