Mr. Speaker, in recent months, the crisis in the Middle East has produced many victims. The terrible situation, which is difficult on a daily basis, has had a political impact, of course, but it has also had a social and economic impact.
It directly affects the lives of men and women who must carry on living despite the ubiquitous violence. The two sides must come together and negotiate in order to end the violence. Unfortunately, comments made by Mr. Sharon, which are to be published tomorrow by the daily Maariv , only add to the climate of mistrust that exists between the two groups.
Mr. Sharon stated that he regretted, as a matter of principle, not having liquidated Yasser Arafat, because there was an agreement not to do so in Lebanon.
I would therefore like to join with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Josep Piqué, whose country occupies the presidency of the European Union until the end of June, in condemning Ariel Sharon's comments.