René van der Linden verwelkomt Israëls terugtrekking uit de Gazastrook (en)

Strasbourg, 23.08.2005 - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President René van der Linden today welcomed the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

"I hope that the partial withdrawal from the West Bank will follow without incident," he stressed appealing for calm and restraint. He also, once again, urged the Palestinian Authority to prevent acts of terror in an effective manner.

He finally expressed his conviction that the withdrawal would provide impetus to the Middle East peace process on the basis of the Road Map.

He said that PACE was ready to help build confidence and co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians, especially in the framework of the Tripartite forum, established by the PACE Political Affairs Committee which brings together parliamentarians from the Knesset, the Palestinian Legislative Council and the PACE.

Contact:

Communication Unit of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax +33 3 90 21 41 34; e-mail: pace.com@coe.int