# CE2004084EN.01023401.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/234 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/234

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(2004/C 84 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3349/03

by Koenraad Dillen (NI) to the Council

(13 November 2003)

Subject:   Eurobarometer opinion poll

Subject:

October's Eurobarometer opinion poll, carried out at the Commission's request, on ‘Iraq and peace in the world’ claims that 59 % of Europeans view the State of Israel as a threat to world peace. The opinion poll was carried out by EOS Gallup Europe. After its findings were made known, the European Council, through Italian Foreign Minister Frattini, distanced itself from the survey (Le Figaro, Tuesday, 4 November).

Is this an instance of disagreement between the Council and the Commission? Why did the Council say that the Commission had sent out a ‘false signal’ with this survey? Was there any consultation between the Council and the Commission on the matter?

What would the Council's actual response be if it was itself asked whether ‘Israel present's a threat to peace in the world’?

Is this the first time that the Council has distanced itself from an opinion poll carried out at the Commission's request? If not, when has this happened before?

Does the Council agree with the Israeli Ambassador to Italy that such an irresponsible survey makes it more difficult for Europe to play a part in the Middle East peace process?

What approach to the Israeli authorities will the Council take so as to combat the negative image of Europe to which this survey may give rise among the Israeli population?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

(9 March 2004)

| 1. | The Eurobarometer opinion poll the Honorable Member of the European Parliament is referring to has been carried out under the authority of the European Commission, which has already explained its position on the outcome. The Council has not commented on the opinion poll specifically. |
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1.

The Eurobarometer opinion poll the Honorable Member of the European Parliament is referring to has been carried out under the authority of the European Commission, which has already explained its position on the outcome. The Council has not commented on the opinion poll specifically.

| 2. | The Council is however concerned with Israel's role in the Middle East Peace Process. The specific expectations by the EU towards Israel in this context, and the reasoning behind it, were raised at the EU/Israel Association Council on 18 November. They were spelled out in the EU Statement prepared for that occasion, with a view to giving a complete and transparent picture of the EU position, including to the Israeli population. |
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2.

The Council is however concerned with Israel's role in the Middle East Peace Process. The specific expectations by the EU towards Israel in this context, and the reasoning behind it, were raised at the EU/Israel Association Council on 18 November. They were spelled out in the EU Statement prepared for that occasion, with a view to giving a complete and transparent picture of the EU position, including to the Israeli population.

| 3. | The Council does not see any direct implications of the survey on the EU's role in the Middle East Peace Process. The Council will continue to pursue its balanced policy to promote peace in the Middle East based on the Quartet Road Map and is confident that this policy will also find recognition with the Israeli public. |
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3.

The Council does not see any direct implications of the survey on the EU's role in the Middle East Peace Process. The Council will continue to pursue its balanced policy to promote peace in the Middle East based on the Quartet Road Map and is confident that this policy will also find recognition with the Israeli public.

| 4. | The Council has raised this issue and discussed it with its Israeli counterparts in its regular dialogue with Israel. |
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4.

The Council has raised this issue and discussed it with its Israeli counterparts in its regular dialogue with Israel.

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