Violence clouds Martin’s Middle East visit
The minister said establishing a Palestinian state remains a strong foreign policy objective of Ireland and the European Union.
Mr Martin said he hopes to build stronger economic and political ties with Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority
He will hold talks in Cairo this morning with secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, and Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, on efforts to build on the ceasefire in Gaza.
Under a truce brokered by Egypt on June 19, militants in Gaza are required to halt rocket and mortar fire in return for Israel gradually lifting its blockade.
On Monday, Israel closed all but one border crossing to Gaza after a mortar shell landed in southern Israel.
Two people were killed in an explosion in a Gaza training camp for Hamas yesterday. The Israeli military said it was not involved.
Ahead of his first trip as foreign minister, Mr Martin said: “I look forward to discussing with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian political leaders how we and our EU partners can support urgent efforts to restore momentum to the political process. I want to discuss openly the prospects for peace at a difficult time, building on the ceasefire in Gaza and the series of contacts between the parties which are now underway across the region.”
He will also review the Irish-Egyptian economic relationship, following the trade mission he led last November.
Tomorrow, Mr Martin visits the West Bank to meet with Palestinian political leaders, including prime minister Salam Fayyad.
The EU is the largest donor to Palestine, and Ireland’s assistance has risen by 70% since 2005, to €7.5 million last year.
On Friday he will met Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni to discuss peace negotiations and developing a bilateral political and economic relationship between Ireland and Israel.
Mr Martin will also lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on Friday.
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