Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to secure a settlement in the middle east. [4140]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are actively engaged with the parties, and are working closely with the US, our EU partners and the UN to move the process forward. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have recently met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Peres, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condi Rice, and EU counterparts. Lord Levy visited the region and met Sharon and Arafat on 11 and 12 July. Our message to all parties is the same: that the recommendations of the Sharm El Sheikh (Mitchell) Committee report are the roadmap for the return to political negotiations. We look to the Israelis and the Palestinians to take steps to end the violence, cease unilateral action which undermines the basis for peace, and immediately begin the full implementation of the Mitchell recommendations.
261W I will be visiting the region between 18 and 25 July. I will restate this message and urge both sides to seize the opportunity that the Mitchell report provides.