§ 25. Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU has contributed to support the middle east peace process since 1993. [36558]
§ Mr. FatchettThe EU has contributed £464 million (700.95 million ecu) to support the Middle East Peace Process since 1993. In addition, Member States have also contributed a substantial amount of bilateral aid.
Under the UK Presidency, the EU has agreed to extend the current aid package when it expires at the end of 1998.
§ 29. Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for progress in the peace process in the middle east. [36562]
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§ Mr. FatchettI refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson).
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on recent efforts to promote the peace process in the middle east. [36567]
§ Mr. FatchettDuring my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to the Middle East on 15–18 March, he met with the key players in the region. These included President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Moussa of Egypt, PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Mordechai of Israel, Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan, PM Hariri and Foreign Minister Bouaz of Lebanon, President Assad and Foreign Minister Shara of Syria and President Arafat of the Palestinian Authority. He discussed with them ideas for ways in which the EU can play a more prominent role in reinvigorating the Middle East Peace Process.
Since his return, he has met a number of interested parties, including the Israeli Ambassador to London and the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. We look forward to the Prime Minister's visit later this month.