Foreign Minister Tuomioja demanded release of Israeli soldier

Press release 214/2006
4 July, 2006

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja met Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Helsinki on 4 July. Before the meeting Foreign Minister Tuomioja talked with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Eguptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboud Gheit. Foreign Minister Tuomioja said the EU was very concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East. 

"The abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit needs to be released immediately and the continued launching of Kassam rockets from Gaza to Israel must cease", he said.

"We are also concerned about the serious consequences of Israel´s disproportionate response. Civilian lives must be protected. The fact that civilian infrastructure is destroyed in the operation will worsen the humanitarian situation even further and cause suffering among the civilian population", said Foreign Minister Tuomioja during the discussion with the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni who arrived in Helsinki for a short visit.

The issue of detained Palestinian cabinet members and parliamentarians was also raised in the discussion. Foreign Minister Tuomioja emphasised the need for their release. "The present crisis - and the whole question of the Middle East conflict - will be solved only through negotiations. The EU is assisting in finding a solution to the crisis", said Foreign Minister Tuomioja.

Further information: Counsellor Sofie From-Emmesberger, Unit for the Middle East and North Africa, tel. +358 9 1605 5406