Sunday

28th May 2023

Quartet divided over peace monitoring

Representatives of the Quartet are meeting this week in an attempt to surpass deep divisions over how to monitor the road map's implementation, a key factor in the process, as it decides the sequence of events.

Envoys from the EU, UN, US and Russia are meeting to try and iron out differences over how progress is to be monitored. According to diplomats the EU, UN and US have all put forward plans for the monitoring process.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Although details are still unclear, the US has proposed that four monitoring groups be set up with each Quartet member responsible for one area of the plan.

Under this agreement the EU would monitor reform of the Palestinian Authority and the US would take the critical area of security.

A spokesperson for The EU’s High Representative, Javier Solana, told the EUobserver that "parties would not accept that [arrangement]".

EU diplomats are worried that this would put security directly at the top of the agenda, holding the process hostage to gunmen.

Diplomats say it could also undercut the road map which calls for "reciprocal steps" to be taken by the two parties.

Other EU officials however admit that the US has a key role in assessing the security situation, and view the EU monitoring reform of the Palestinian Authority as "logical".

The EU plan puts the emphasis for monitoring more roundly on the Quartet as a whole.

A full Quartet meeting is due to take place on 22 and 23 May.

Opinion

How the EU's money for waste went to waste in Lebanon

The EU led support for the waste management crisis in Lebanon, spending around €89m between 2004-2017, with at least €30m spent on 16 solid-waste management facilities. However, it failed to deliver.

Latest News

  1. How the EU's money for waste went to waste in Lebanon
  2. EU criminal complicity in Libya needs recognition, says expert
  3. Europe's missing mails
  4. MEPs to urge block on Hungary taking EU presidency in 2024
  5. PFAS 'forever chemicals' cost society €16 trillion a year
  6. EU will 'react as appropriate' to Russian nukes in Belarus
  7. The EU needs to foster tech — not just regulate it
  8. EU: national energy price-spike measures should end this year

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  2. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  3. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
  6. EFBWWEFBWW calls for the EC to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us