Success begins with an optimizing vision: what the Middle East can be, and must be, to meet the needs of the people: A region of peace, stability and prosperity.
After nearly seventy years of Arab-Israeli conflict, there is new international attention and willpower to end this long and destructive clash. With the support of the European Union, the United States and certain countries of the Middle East, Israelis and Palestinians met in Annapolis and pledged all-out negotiations toward a peace treaty in 2008. What is really interesting is that in Annapolis, more than forty countries and organisations, some of which had refused to meet each other in the past, gathered at the same conference venue. A new olive branch has been planted. Now the real work must begin. It is a rare opportunity to effect change … to marshal global commitment and resources, and help create a new dynamic of hope in the Middle East.
We cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
We must act. And all of us have a contribution to make. The exceptional leaders of the wider region can bring insights, tools and strategies from the world's most vital sectors. They can build unparalleled bridges of understanding and progress. The challenge now, is to carry this work forward to success. The priorities identified must lead to action; action that will help create a sustainable and self-reinforcing peace.
It begins with new expectations - a vision of where the Middle East can be in ten years' time.
It is a vision of an expanding regional economy, whose resources and energies go into productive growth, not wasteful conflict, where cross-border partnerships and shared interests will create new synergies, and where smart investments in young people will expand access to opportunity. History shows that peace and progressive policies can create economic miracles in developing regions. This can happen in the Middle East.
It is a vision of an Israel that is at peace in the neighbourhood, and is part of the neighbourhood. History shows that long-time adversaries can define new relationships of peace and regional cooperation. This can happen in the Middle East.
And it is a vision of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state, whose people are engaged in creating a future of prosperity and progress. In all history, global justice promises no less. This can, and this must, happen in the Middle East.
To the international community, the EU in particular, it is clear that we have an historic role and responsibility to stand behind a peace. The road to peace is no easier and in many ways it is harder than the road to war. Yet the road to peace is one that we must walk today. Our determination to achieve results will be critical to success - and it will send a global message about our values and leadership. One thing is certain. A political settlement will not endure if it does not deliver economic stability and greater well being. That, after all, is exactly what the EU is all about. It is the example in modern history of how political peace thrives on economic cooperation and integration.
It is true that since its inception in the fifties, the EU has placed a high priority on maintaining close and special relationship with its neighbours from the Middle East. This is a long-standing partnership which today is governed by the Euro-Mediterranean partnership now enhanced by the EU Neighbourhood Policy, and the EU’s relations with the countries of the Gulf with the main focus on energy and economic issues.
The EU has provided financial support, now running at nearly 1 billion euros a year, to economic, social and political reforms in the Middle East through tailor-made assistance programmes to each of the partners. In addition, regional programmes cover the promotion of intra-regional co-operation among the partners themselves in areas such as political issues, trade, infrastructure interconnection and sustainable development.
One of the main focus of this EU economic flow in the wider region is the support of the youth to remain in their home countries and thus, stem the flow of illegal migrants through the European Union's maritime borders. Addressing the issue of migration under the prism of security is indeed a challenge. Greece finds itself in the middle of a major migration route, being “a gate” for thousands of people who make their way by land and sea from the Middle East via Turkey and Greece to Italy and Western Europe. As it often happens, the “middle of the road” becomes the “de facto” end of the road for many of these desperate people who are in search of a better living. Thus, there is an actual need for a comprehensive approach from all of us to tackle illegal migration by diminishing the great differences in prosperity among the various countries, and of course the EU is ready to spread its knowledge, rationale and business success outside of its borders to neighbouring regions.
The challenges are certainly real. But it is because the stakes are so high, that we must seize every chance to make a difference. In the years ahead, the Middle East faces major requirements for development. Youth are more than fifty percent of the population; they are coming of age with high expectations for opportunity, for security, for respect. The means to respond are there. There is economic promise in IT, tourism, and more, increasing regional economic cooperation, and dynamic young leaders who are committed to the future.
All this can give us great confidence for the future of the Middle East. And that is vital for the entire global system, in which our expanded region plays such a strategic role.
Around the world, people want to know that the 21st century will deliver on its promise - that global justice is real; that opportunity is not just for a few. Some have despaired. Yet there is still great hope. We must respond.
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