Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 15, 2008 Elul 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:29 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

EU foreign policy chief Solana to Haaretz: Israeli-Palestinian talks have gone too slowly By Barak Ravid The peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been carried out far too slowly since last November's Annapolis summit, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Haaretz. Solana said in an interview on Friday that "it is true that in this process of negotiations, the more determined one is, the better chances of getting an agreement in the [stipulated] time frame .... I think that it has been done too slowly at the beginning and that probably this is the mistake that has been made." Advertisement Solana arrived in Israel Friday morning and had meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. Solana said he has doubts over whether a deal can be completed by the end of the year, saying that the longer the sides wait to go forward with talks, the less they are likely to succeed. "Because time is shorter, it will more difficult to do," Solana said. "I think we have to maintain the momentum and we will have to see some results before the end of the year". He added that in 2009 "it will be much more complicated to do." In a meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the Israeli told Solana that "the right thing to do will be to continue the process in the same manner that it was planned. The international community should avoid trying to accelerate the process by proposing initiatives that will not meet Israel's interests. In the interview, Solana called the negotiations between Israel and Syria a positive step, but said he thinks the Palestinian track needs to be addressed first. Solana added that if Syria changes its positions the way EU deems appropriate, there may be a chance to continue the talks on an association agreement with Syria. "At this moment this decision has not been taken," Solana said. In Ramallah, Solana met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Fayyad told Solana that "the international community's support for the peace process is meaningless so long as there is no real pressure on Israel to halt settlement expansion in the West Bank." Fayyad added that Israel's continued building in the settlements is a blatant violation of international law. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Beatle terror Islamic militant leader threatens to kill former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, over Israel gig. Fugee Fridays Every Friday, volunteers bring donated food from Carmel Market to African refugees.

Read & React U.S. to sell IAF smart bombs for heavily fortified targets Responses: 192 Abbas to Haaretz: We will compromise on refugees Responses: 125 Medvedev to Haaretz: Attack on Iran will endanger entire world Responses: 70 Yitzhar settlers erect outpost near site of West Bank rampage Responses: 71 More Headlines 00:40 War probe member: Half our recommendations still unimplemented 01:23 Jihad claims responsibility for Qassam attack on Sderot 00:53 Yitzhar settlers' West Bank rampage caught on camera 23:20 Olmert: There's no such thing as 'Greater Israel' anymore 21:44 Mofaz predicts he'll win Kadima primary with 43.7% of vote 19:53 Iraqi MP: They punished me for Israel trip because I criticize Iran 14:06 Jewish World / Photo essay: Fugee Friday in Tel Aviv 17:44 Muslim leader threatens to kill Paul McCartney over Israel gig 22:34 Police believe suspected murderer tried to download snuff movie 19:02 Gaza militant: Gilad Shalit is living in paradise 17:34 Psychiatrists: Mother suspected of drowning son is fit to stand trial 14:37 Israeli grandmother of seven gives birth to 19th child 22:09 Abergil cronies arrested for trying to booby-trap rivals' car 21:27 U.S. to sell IAF smart bombs for heavily fortified targets Previous Editions Select Day 14 sep 12 sep 11 sep 10 sep 09 sep 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep 04 sep 03 sep 02 sep 01 sep

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved