§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement the UK Government will have in the preparations for peace talks in the Middle East. [60481]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAs a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and a member of the EU, the UK is actively involved in international efforts to revitalise the Middle East Peace Process in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.
A revitalised peace process must lead to the establishment of two viable, secure, territorially sovereign and democratic states of Israel and Palestine, mutually recognised and committed to peaceful coexistence within agreed borders. It should address key issues, particularly in respect of Jerusalem, settlements and refugees. It should also secure a comprehensive peace that includes full peace treaties between Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Only genuine commitment by the parties to such an agenda can break the current cycle of violence and reprisal.
Achieving these goals will require a continuous process that includes confidence building measures and timelines; ensures parallel movement on the political, security and economic tracks; and is based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 1397.
We expect to take this forward at the G8 Foreign Minister's meeting, 12–13 June, and in our consultations with other involved countries in coming weeks.