Minister Frattini is on a working visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel today 9 December 2009. He will be meeting the Palestinian Prime Minister, Fayyad, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister, Lieberman.
The mission will enable Foreign Minister Frattini to acquire first-hand information on the prospects for the Peace Process. Frattini also intends to underscore the need to revitalise the negotiations, with – it is to be hoped – a real intent on both sides to pursue the two-state solution.
Italy is determined to play a leading role in the context of the European Union’s contribution to the progress of the negotiations and the stabilisation of the region. Its aim is to encourage balanced, non-ideological positions that help achieve the goal of achieving a just and lasting conclusion to the conflict. More specifically, Italy trusts that the fully convergent position of the United States and Europe will act as a strong encouragement for the parties to make every effort on the terrain of good-will and re-establishing mutual trust.
During his visit Minister Frattini will also discuss the prospects for Lebanon, especially as regards the country’s political stabilisation and the complex question of relations between Lebanon and Israel, and the latest developments on the Iranian dossier.