Traditional differences between the EU and the US on the Middle East have diminished significantly as the US grows increasingly frustrated with the failure of the Israeli government to honour the Oslo accords.
The European Council declaration on the Middle East at the weekend states that the EU "strongly supports US efforts to revive the peace process and expressed the EU's willingness to work closely with the United States."
This marks a considerable change from the norm. The declaration usually points to significant differences between the EU and the US. The EU traditionally takes a more balanced line than the pro-Israeli US, pointing to Israeli failures and implying that the US is too willing to tolerate these.
However, growing US anger at the failure of Mr Netanyahu's government to withdraw from occupied areas, to control provocative Israeli settlements and to ease restrictions on Palestinian movement means that Europe and the US now seem at one on the issue.
The Council expresses continuing concern at the lack of progress in implementing the Middle East peace accords. It urges the parties to honour their commitments under the existing agreements.
It says the EU is ready "to contribute to permanent status negotiations, by offering specific suggestions to the parties on related subjects, including possible Palestinian statehood, borders/security arrangements, refu gees, Jerusalem and water issues."
The Council also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its 50th anniversary year.
"Respect for and the promotion and safeguarding of human rights constitute an essential factor in international relations and one of the cornerstones of European co-operation and of relations between the European Union and third countries." The council "deplores the continuing flagrant violation of human rights in all parts of the world."
It expresses full support for Mrs Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and stresses the importance of her task. It calls for full co-operation by all states with international human rights mechanisms.
The European Council conclusions also call the agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5 per cent at Kyoto "an initial step which should be followed by further progress in the future.
"The European Council stresses its conviction . . . that environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the Community's policies and actions, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development. With this in mind it asks the Commission to submit a strategy to it, before its December 1998 meeting, for achieving that goal."