TEHRAN – Javier Solana’s spokeswoman Cristina Gallach has said the European Union “shares Iran's concerns” over the turbulent situation in the Middle East.

“The EU shares Iran's concerns over the situation in the Middle East,” Gallach told the Mehr News Agency in an interview recently.
She said the European bloc believes that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved through dialogue and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
“The EU has been very active in trying to find a lasting solution to the Middle East Peace Process. We are convinced that a lasting solution can only be achieved by diplomatic means. We are in favor of two states, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state, living in peace, side by side.”
The new Israeli prime minister’s view toward Mideast talks has even rattled the European Union. Benjamin Netanyahu openly opposes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and his cabinet is made up of hardliners.
Even some opposition lawmakers have called Netanyahu’s cabinet the “most racist cabinet” Israel has ever seen. New Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman had proposed in 2003 to drown Palestinian prisoners in the Dead Sea.
However, Gallach said, “The friends of Israel, as well as the friends of the Palestinians, must do their best to find solutions that will not prolong the conflict but that will get the parties back to the negotiating table again.
“The various efforts by partners in the region in this respect, not least the Arab Peace Initiative, are obviously an important input. We welcome all initiatives, also from Iran, if they can add constructively to a peaceful solution.”
Many peace plans, including the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap for Peace, have been put forward to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, all plans have been either rejected or stifled by the Tel Aviv regime.
The Saudi-proposed Arab peace initiative, adopted at the annual Arab League Summit in Beirut in 2002, simply calls for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories in return for Arab recognition of Israel and peace.
Iran has also suggested that the best solution to the conflict is to hold a referendum in Palestine to let people including Arabs, Jews and Christians to determine the fate of their country.
EU expects Iran’s next president to favor dialogue
The spokeswoman said Europe expects Iran’s next president would be “open-minded” and favor dialogue in efforts to end the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
“We in the EU are following the run-up to the Iranian presidential elections with great interest. …The elections are of course an internal Iranian matter but we hope that the winning candidate will be interested in dialogue with the EU, and that the attitude of the next Iranian president will be open-minded and courageous, so that he can help Iran find its rightful place in the international family.”
The main bone of conflict between Tehran and certain Western countries is over Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran, as a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT), is legally authorized to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
Possibility of a new chapter
Gallach also said Iran and the West can “open a new chapter” in relations now that President Barack Obama has expressed his willingness to enter dialogue with Iran.
She claimed that Obama’s outreach to Tehran has provided an historic opportunity”.
“Today we have all together the possibility to open a new chapter. The new U.S. President has stated his willingness to do that. I sincerely hope that the Iranian authorities will be able to seize this historic opportunity.”