asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will take steps with their European Union Middle East road map partners to ensure that substantive rather than partial negotiations are started by Israel and the Palestinian Authority with a view to ensuring the creation of a Palestinian state by the end of this year. [HL2914]

The EU, as a member of the quartet (US, UN, EU and Russia), has an important political role to play in the Middle East peace process. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with international partners, including EU colleagues, on the peace process. The EU presidency issued a declaration on 14 March 2008 expressing the European Council’s full support for the Annapolis process and its commitment to support the parties in their negotiations with a view to achieving an agreement this year leading to a two-state solution. The EU continues to demonstrate its commitment to the peace process by: providing political support; giving practical support to Palestinian institutions; capacity and economic development; and effective monitoring to hold the parties to their commitments.