EU takes on Middle East conflict

In the absence of the US as a peace broker in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, Europe seems to be inching towards greater political involvement in the search for a ceasefire formula and return to negotiations.

In the view of Ms Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for Mr Javier Solana, the EU's senior foreign policy official, Europe is "taking a major role in the Middle East". Ahead of this weekend's ministerial meeting in Belgium, Mr Javier Solana visited Israel, the Palestinian ruled-West Bank and Gaza, Jordan and Egypt.

The object of this tour was to consult the parties ahead of the Belgian meeting, which it is hoped will prepare the ground for an encounter between the Palestinian Authority President, Mr Yasser Arafat, and the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr Shimon Peres.

Ms Gallach said of the gathering: "The ministers must ensure that it will have a solid agenda including all issues . . . local ceasefires, security, improvements in the living conditions of the Palestinians, confidence-building measures \including the re-opening of Orient House, the premier Palestinian institution in Jerusalem. Everything must be very well prepared."

Until recently, the EU provided the bulk of budgetary support to the PA while the US drove the political process. The Palestinian uprising compelled the EU to provide funds to the UN agency that cares for destitute Palestinians. And the hands-off policy of the Bush administration has forced it to step into the escalating crisis.

But so far, the EU has not "defined its role", said Ms Gallach. Instead, it is gingerly feeling its way. Since Israel and the US oppose the deployment of observers in the West Bank and Gaza, EU members "accredited to the Palestine Authority" send officers "already based in the region" in "to help the two sides contain and control violence", said Ms Gallach. About 10 people are involved in this "low key, low profile" effort.

This tentative approach reflects EU unease over the escalating military conflict and humanitarian crisis. During his recent visit, the German Foreign Minister, Mr Joshcka Fisher, told the Palestinians that Europe was still too young to have a firm policy line. Furthermore, he said Europe does not have the necessary influence or capability to help the Palestinians and must rely on the US.

It would seem the EU is gradually shouldering responsibility for the effort to end the conflict without any clear idea of how to do it.