WRITTEN QUESTION E-3531/00 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Council. Peace process in the Middle East.
Date: 2000-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Palestine question, foreign policy, settlement of disputes

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/15

that Community legislation would provide added value compared with the current situation. A precipitous
approach would put at risk an agreement on the lowest common denominator of design and operational
safety. The goal of regulatory efforts needs to remain the assurance of a high level of nuclear safety within
each State. Within the enlargement process, the objective of the Commission is to ensure that candidate
countries achieve a high level of nuclear safety.

The public acceptance of nuclear energy is determined by a variety of factors other than the existence of
common Community standards. Progress on the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste
management is undoubtedly a key element in this respect.

The need for a high level of nuclear safety is independent of the level of oil prices and the extent of energy
diversification. Safety is a key element of nuclear energy production whatever its scope within the applied
energy mix.

(2001/C 187 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3531/00

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Peace process in the Middle East

On 5 September 2000 the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr Avram Burg, and Mr Ahmed Qurie, his counterpart
in the Palestinian Legislative Council, spoke at Parliament(cid:146)s plenary session in Strasbourg on the situation
in the Middle East, the future status of Jerusalem and the hopes for definitive peace in this troubled region
of the planet. The speeches by the two Speakers were models of constructive attitudes, they were full of
suggestions and ideas and revealed that at any rate majorities in the legislative bodies of both Israel and the
Palestinian administration wished to advance along the road to reconciliation. A highly significant element
in these speeches was the suggestion that
Jerusalem should become a global capital, a centre for
monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), so that instead of being a city of hatred it would
become known as a city of love. Paradoxically, the suggestion by the Speakers of the two legislative bodies
of Israel and Palestine did not appear to attract the interest of the Council or the Commission, who could
adopt and promote it in order to eliminate the stalemate on the status of Jerusalem, thus increasing the
European Union(cid:146)s prestige in the area and making a real contribution to consolidating peace.

Since the future of Jerusalem is at the heart of the Palestine issue and is a question that prompts fanatical
acts, and even death, on both sides,
looking at the possibility of the European Union
promoting the suggestion that Jerusalem should be made into an international city and turned into a global
capital for the three monotheistic religions, along the lines of a suggestion made by the parties involved in
the region which could put a stop to the constant bloodshed which we are unfortunately witnessing once
again in this region? If so, does the EU intend to use a military presence to guarantee smooth
implementation of the proposal?

is the Council

Reply

(24 April 2001)

The question of Jerusalem and that of the Holy Places will probably remain one of the most difficult issues
to resolve in the context of the Middle East peace process. Many ideas have been put forward on all sides
to break the deadlock concerning Jerusalem, including the idea of (cid:145)internationalisation(cid:146) of the city. The
Council
the legitimate
expectations of each Party and of the rest of the world. The Council is prepared to make its contribution
to working out such a solution if the Parties so wish.

is in principle prepared to encourage any solution that

takes into account