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EU Commissioner Louis Michel calls
on all parties to boost efforts to preserve the
humanitarian space in the Middle East
Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development
and Humanitarian Aid, is assessing the humanitarian
situation in the Middle East, in the context of a five
day visit to the region. In a speech on the humanitarian
dimension of the Middle East Peace Process, delivered
today at a conference in Jerusalem, the Commissioner
underlined the need for all parties involved to respect
the core element of international humanitarian law, the
protection of civilians. In particular, he recalled the
need to ensure access to the victims of conflict, and
urged all parties to respect the humanitarian space.
"I am more and more worried by the constant infringement
of international humanitarian law", said the EU
Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, just
a few weeks before the 40th anniversary of the
occupation of the Palestinian territory. "In many
countries, international humanitarian law is not only
ignored but often flouted by belligerents. Instead of
conventional wars, internal conflicts have become the
norm. Such conflicts always affect mainly civilians. For
humanitarian workers, it is an ever-growing daily
challenge. Access to victims is often difficult and
insecurity is rampant. Sometimes it is impossible for
humanitarian workers to do their job and they themselves
are coming under attack more often. This is
unacceptable", stated Louis Michel.
The conference 'Moving the Middle East Peace Process
forward: Humanitarian Challenges,' held today in
Jerusalem, gathers the main humanitarian actors in the
region, including donors from EU member States.
The EU is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance
in the region. In 2006, the EC Humanitarian aid
department funded €84 million of humanitarian assistance
to the most vulnerable Palestinians. For 2007, the
Commission Humanitarian Aid department will allocate €60
million, aimed at responding to the most urgent needs of
Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
This conference comes at the close of a three day visit
by the Commissioner to Israel and the Palestinian
territory. During his meetings with the Israeli and
Palestinian authorities, Mr Michel reiterated the EU's
support to the peace process and European solidarity
towards the victims of the ongoing conflict in the
region.
Mr. Michel will leave today to Jordan and Syria where he
will visit humanitarian projects funded by the
Commission Humanitarian Aid department.
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