Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin today began a three-day visit to the Middle East for a series of talks with Egyptian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders.
The trip has been arranged to focus on regional and international efforts to restore momentum to the peace process.
The minister, who led a successful trade mission to Egypt last November, is also planning talks with the country’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit to further economic ties.
“Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the establishment of a Palestinian State, and this remains one of the most important foreign policy objectives of the European Union,” he said.
Mr Martin will tomorrow hold talks with the Egyptian government and Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa on efforts to build on the ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by Egypt.
The situation in Lebanon and developments in Sudan, Darfur and Chad will also be on the agenda.
Mr Martin will spend Thursday in the West Bank meeting officials from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and local workers in Bethlehem.
Later he will hold talks with Palestinian political leaders in Ramallah, including Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
Discussions will centre on the political process, the humanitarian and security situation, the effect of settlements, the security barrier and assistance to the Palestinian people.
The European Union is the largest donor to Palestine and Ireland contributed €7.5 million last year.
In Israel Mr Martin will hold a working lunch with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, covering Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the situation in the Occupied Territories and wider regional developments.
Officials will also discuss the development of bilateral political and economic relations between Ireland and Israel.
Mr Martin will lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on Friday morning.
“I want to discuss openly the prospects for peace at a difficult time, building on the ceasefire in Gaza and the series of contacts between the parties which are now under way across the region,” he said.
“And I look forward to visiting the Occupied Territories and to discussing with Palestinian people the conditions of their daily life and their hopes and needs for the future.”