§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had within the last six weeks with the representatives of the(a) US Administration, (b) Russian Government and (c) EU in relation to progress on the Middle East Road Map; and if he will make a statement. [151162]
§ Mr. Rammell[holding answer 28 January 2004]In the last six weeks or so, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has discussed progress on the roadmap for peace in the Middle East with President Bush, President Putin and with EU leaders at the European Council in Brussels. In the same period my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed this issue with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and EU Foreign Ministers. Most recently my noble Friend the Baroness 511W Symons of Vernham Dean has discussed these issues with Marc Otte, the EU representation on the Middle East on 27 January.
The Government are committed to progress towards peace in the Middle East based on the Quartet's roadmap. We have been disappointed by the lack of progress on Phase One of the roadmap. Israel should implement a settlement freeze and remove the settlement outposts erected since March 2001. The Palestinian Authority should undertake sustained, targeted and effective operations against terrorists.