EU starts push for Mideast peace

The EU began to push forward Mideast peace efforts as soon as Yasser Arafat’s death was announced today.

“Contacts have started with the Palestinians and the Israelis. It is too early to see what will be the next step,” EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said. “The European Union is going to work without delay to see how we can give an impulse to the peace process.”

After contacts overnight with international leaders, Solana said in Brussels that he found consensus on the need for a fresh push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

“We will do all we can to accelerate the peace process,” he said. “I have no doubt that the international community as a whole has to make an effort to bring to an end the suffering for the people of Palestine.”

Solana was flying to Cairo today for Arafat’s funeral. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is expected to represent Britain.

He and other leading EU officials pledged support to the Palestinian Authority as it seeks to make the transition to a new post-Arafat leadership.

In the wake of Arafat’s death, EU officials said the international community should work with increased determination to revive the “road map” peace plan which envisions an end to violence and the creation of a Palestinian state.

“The best tribute to President Arafat’s memory will be to intensify our efforts to establish a peaceful and viable state of Palestine as foreseen by the road map,” Solana said.

The stalled peace plan is sponsored by the EU, the US, Russia and the UN.