EU foreign ministers hold weekend talks
25 EU foreign ministers met Friday at Riva del Garda, the northern lakeside town in Italy, ahead of weekend discussions on the increasingly perilous situation for coalition troops in Iraq, the derailed “road map” for peace in the Middle East and the shredded EU draft constitution.
The ministers were met by about 500 global protesters.
The meeting comes after French and German leaders declined to affirm US plans for a fresh United Nations resolution that would pave the way for an enhanced international peacekeeping presence in Iraq.
One of France’s main objections is that the draft allows the US to retain both political and military control. France wants the US to cede power back to Iraqis as soon as possible.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, speaking to reporters at the meeting, said he was optimistic an agreement could be reached on the US-proposed new UN resolution.
“Some partners are saying, ‘well it doesn’t go far enough.
“But everybody recognises that it represents a significant move in the right direction towards further strengthening the role of the United Nations and above all of providing a faster timescale to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqi people,” he said.
Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov said the resolution required “further, very serious work.”
EU ministers will also reassess how to kick-start the shattered “road map” for peace in the Middle East – backed by a “quartet” of negotiators – the US, EU, Russia and the United Nations.
The militant wing of Hamas, Izzedine al Qassam, declared the peace process effectively dead in the water. Hamas admitted responsibility for the suicide bombing of a bus in Jerusalem which killed 21 people.
Israeli retaliation has been swift and deadly. Sharon’s government has pinpointed Hamas militants, killing 10.
In a telephone call EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon beseeched the EU to add the political wing of the Palestinian militant group to its list of terrorist organisations.
The EU ministers will examine how to encourage Hamas to disarm.
An EU spokeswoman said Hamas funding would be on the agenda at the meeting.
Controversial plans in the EU constitution will also be debated. On the table is a rethink on the need for a European president and foreign minister.
The Italian government, holder of the EU rotating presidency, said the “balanced text” of the EU draft ought to be “preserved.”
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said: “The structure and framework of the draft constitution must be preserved… and the institutional pillars defined by the Convention should not be touched.”
And EU Commission chief Romano Prodi said Friday: “the blueprint isn’t perfect and there is room for improvement.”
