The president of the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU), Josep Pique, on Tuesday denounced Israeli attacks on Palestinian public works, saying the bloc is evaluating the damage so as to find measures to cope with it.
"We regret and reject this destruction of infrastructure," said Pique, adding that the Israeli acts "have nothing to do with security needs."
Nevertheless, the Spanish foreign minister, whose country is currently holding the six-month EU rotating presidency, did not make it clear whether or not the 15-nation European bloc will demand Israeli indemnification for its destroying actions.
After a meeting with his Icelandic counterpart, Halldor Asgrimsson, Pique said it is likely that the results of the evaluation on Israeli attacks could be submitted for discussion atthe council, depending on how things turn out.
Once at this level, "depending on the different opinions, we would adopt those measures we deem opportune," Pique added.
Describing the peace process in the Middle East as "moribund," Pique said the most important thing at this moment is not compensation, but the dangerous situation in the area.
In response to a series of suicidal explosions, Israel in December launched attacks on Palestinian installations and destroyed some infrastructure financed by the EU or EU member states, such as Gaza International Airport, Gaza port and Palestinian television and radio broadcasting.
( January 23, 2002)
