Press Conference of the Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek and the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Salam Fayyad, 26th June 2008

Jana Bartošová, government spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you to the press conference after talks of delegations of the Czech Republic and the Palestinian National Authority. Allow me to welcome the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Salam Fayyad to the Czech Republic and I also welcome the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. Mirek Topolánek whom I pass the floor.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic: Good afternoon, we have a very distinguished guest here today, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, and I am very pleased we could discuss number of issues relating to the Near East region, to the situation of the Palestinian National Authority, to various aspects of the development and also to our bilateral relations, and also to the issue which became very important after the Irish "no" – our presidency of the EU Council. The Czech Republic has certain advantage but also greater responsibility as it has good and friendly relations with all, or with majority of countries of the region. It is respected by both sides of the dispute and we can during our presidency, in the framework of those discussions of three or four sides, to contribute to the solution of problems of that region. I very appreciate representatives of present Palestinian National Authority, the Prime Minister Fayyad and the President Abbas, and their role in the solution of the conflict. In the framework of the development aid we are aiming at concrete projects which concern strengthening of the state attributes, strengthening of infrastructure and of course training of policemen, judges, project in the sphere of water system and electrification. All these projects are connected with the operation of the state itself and this issue is also related to establishment of economic relations. I appreciate that a delegation of businessmen has come. The Bethlehem Investment Conference which has been held recently showed possibilities and potential trade exchange of investments just in the Palestinian territory. We have debated the present development in the Gaza Strip, of course, we debated the Annapolis Process, we discussed the assessment of the Berlin Conference which was held in Berlin few days ago. I am deeply convinced that the visit is successful because we could identify the main spheres in which the Czech Republic, either as a country of the Central Europe or as a country presiding over the EU Council, can help the process in the Near East and especially in the Palestinian territory.

Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority: Allow me to thank the Prime Minster and all other people for warm welcome. I am very pleased to have had an opportunity to debate at various levels, both in the framework of our delegation and in person on all those issues which have already been mentioned. We had an opportunity to exchange our opinions on the entire process in all its dimensions. We also discussed prerequisites which are necessary for successfulness of the process, and we also debate bilateral issues; how we could contribute to the improvement of the process and how to strengthen bilateral relations. We also talk about prospects and possible opportunities of aid from the side of the Czech Republic, as both the country itself and the forthcoming presiding country of the EU Council; it has already been mentioned here. I would also like to say that we very appreciate that the Czech Republic was with us all that time, it has been supporting the process, whether it concerned the active participation in the Annapolis Process or at the Conference in Barcelona or at the conference in Berlin which was held two days ago. These were significant milestones in the framework of that process and we have been given support from the Czech side all the time. Nevertheless, we are of the opinion that it is also necessary to simultaneously implement the "second line" which is very important as well, and it was distinctly mentioned in the framework of the Annapolis Process and the implementation of the Road Map. As to the "second line" and the implementation of the Road Map, there are clearly indicated elements and requirements, which should be met on both sides; I mean by our side and the Israeli side, as well. I am of the opinion and I would like to express is clearly that full meeting of those requirements resulting from the "second line" agreed in Annapolis is absolutely necessary or essential for improving the entire context or that environment of the process. And of course, on that occasion, when we are talking about necessity to meet requirements on both sides, let us say requirements resulting from the Annapolis Process, it is also necessary for Israel to meet all its commitments resulting from the Annapolis Process, in particular the freeze of the settlement. I would like to say that in case there are not all the criteria fully met on both sides, certain inconsistency would take place as far as the main targets are concerned; I mean to finish occupation and simultaneously to create and to ensure function of an independent Palestinian state in the territories which have been occupied since 1967. As to our side, we are fully prepared do meet our commitments resulting from the Annapolis process and that Road Map which has been mentioned. It is necessary to constantly strengthen capacity of our governance and viability of our state in all aspects including and with a special regard to security. On this occasion, we would like to very appreciate the support and aid which were given from the side of the international community and in particular I would like to highlight the aid of the European Union. We would also like to emphasize our gratefulness, especially to the Czech Republic for its bilateral aid, development aid provided from its side. I would also like to confirm what has already been said here by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, I mean that we are aware of the fact and we fully respect the fact that the Czech Republic has equal relations with the key players and in this respect I would like to affirm that we also share the expectation and we are convinced that the Czech Republic will use this special statute, this special position for pushing forward the process, and we are looking forward to full support from the side of the Czech Republic , in particular during its presidency of the European Union. As to the last remark, which I would like to mention here, concerns the importance of the business and economy development - that business to business aspect. I think that it is the prerequisite for sustainable economic development of the future Palestinian state. I would also like to appreciate that positive response to the conference, to the conference of investors which we have organized with great success in Bethlehem recently. I think we should really continue in setting conditions and creating conditions for little network of private business activities and we also hope that we will succeed in implementation of an idea to establish common commercial councils or chambers, which will exist bilaterally between the Czech Republic and our Authority. I would also like to repeat once more, what has been mentioned during our official talks, the invitation for the Prime Minister so that he could – maybe with a delegation of businessmen – inaugurate that common initiative of the Czech Republic and our Authority.

Jana Bartošová, government spokesperson: I thank the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and now there is time for your questions.

Reuters: I have a question concerning recent closure of the border crossing in the Gaza Strip from the Israeli side. What does the Prime Minister Fayyad think of it? To what degree could it influence or disrupt the armistice and what will be further development like and when these border crossings might be open?

 

Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority: Allow me to answer that question in quite a general way. Of course, our attitude from the long-term view is that it is necessary to lift any blockade and to open these border crossings; and we were facing the total blockade of the Gaza Strip. The reason is that during a blockade such a situation takes place when about 1,5 million of our people are isolated and it leads to a very hard situation which has catastrophic contours. We are of the opinion that it is necessary to put an end to this situation and the only one way how to do it, how to lift this situation, in which 1,5 million people face that misery, is to re-open those border crossings. This is a solution that was supported by the "quartet" in December, and it was also supported from the side of the European Union. We think that opening of these border crossing would strengthen that armistice. I am saying this because any closure, hermetic closure, creates a situation in which 1,5 million people have nothing to lose, and such a situation is not good and therefore it must be ended. For quite a long time we have been also promoting an idea that this opening should be done from the side of Palestinian authorities, Palestinian institutions, and we are ready to ensure it. So it is a long-term solution, which we continuously deal with.

 

Jana Bartošová, government spokesperson: Further question, please.

Nikola Hořejš, economic daily E15 on line: I would like to ask the Prime Minister Topolánek whether the government intends to earmark further financial means for humanitarian or material aid for Palestinian territories. I did not quite understand it, And the second question – will the Czech Republic use good relations with Israel to exert pressure Israel and to force it to freeze building of those settlements in the Palestinian territory, as it was mentioned by Mr. Fayyad?

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the CzechRepublic: Simpler answer is to the second question and therefore I will start with it. I drew the attention of Schimon Peres and the Prime Minister Olmert just to this issue during my visit to Israel. I pointed out that if the settlement continues, it did not look very trustworthy in the framework of the Annapolis Process. We were debating this issue for a long time. Nobody minds that natural development of these settlements caused by the increase of number of inhabitants. But perhaps everybody minds that enlargement in the direction of the Palestinian territory. As to the pressure – both the international pressure and the pressure from our side has already taken place. As regards the first question, if we compare our humanitarian and non-humanitarian aid to the Palestinian National Authority, the aid amounted about 16 million crowns in 2007 and this Friday will be a material submitted to the government based on which 60 million crowns are to be earmarked in the next year for the infrastructure projects, for continuation of the project in Tubbas in the north of Palestinian territory, construction of the electric appliance repair plant. In the cooperation with Germany we want to construct a car repair shop. We want to participate in the two-year project for utilization of solar energy for irrigation of both banks of the Jordan River. It means both on the Jordan and Palestinian bank. We want to support, and we want to participate in the project for utilization of water. As far as project of institution establishment, we will continue in the training of policemen. We are beginning the training of judges and public prosecutors; we will support the Palestinian-Israeli project for training of supervisors in the sphere of exports. These are projects which are to be covered by the amount, which will be, and I am deeply convinced about it, approved on Friday.

Jana Bartošová, government spokesperson: The last question, please.

Lucie Petrová, Czech News Agency: Good afternoon, I would like to ask both Prime Ministers whether there are any concrete step known which will be taken during the presidency. How could the Czech Republic contribute to the peace process? Thank you.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the CzechRepublic: Concretely, we will participate in negotiations of the "trio" and there is still question whether we will be involved in the negotiations in the framework of that "quartet". I do not know which steps you have in mind. It depends a lot on the result of the Annapolis Process in the end of the year. With regard to the fact that during those negotiation certain safety network is created, which could enable further continuation of those economic activities even in case of a collapse of political negotiations, I suppose that in case of the Annapolis Process does not turn out well, there will be a space for a concrete support in the framework of the presidency of the EU Council. In spite of the fact that no negotiation in the framework of the Annapolis Process, those Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, are published, they are certain footings determined, so that it would be possible to return to them in case of a crisis. And that will be our role during the presidency, if the Annapolis Process collapses. I am still optimistic in this respect and I believe it can be finished.

Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority: Allow me to say that we are talking here, in the framework of that question, how the Czech Republic will be able to help this process during its presidency. But the presidency will begin only after six month. We are not talking only about the events of the following year, but we are trying to reach a long-term and permanent solution and we must ask what will be going on between present situation and the 1^st January 2009 when the Czech Republic takes over its presidency. It means and I would like to emphasize it that during this period we must exert all the effort to push the process ahead, to ensure its progress, its advance, and consequently to maintain the possibility of a future solution and to do our best for the future success. As to the second line, it means to continue in the business, in business activities. I am of the opinion that in this sphere the cooperation must take place both on bilateral and the international level. On that occasion I would like to mention that the EU provided us with support and means in every possible way, so that we could establish our governmental capacities, institutions including all the other attributes of the state and I would also lie to highlight that the EU took very clear and fundamental attitude. In January 2008 the EU clearly expressed its opinion and stated that it insisted in freezing that settlement, which was in compliance with all the commitments which were made by both sides in the framework of the Road Map. A lot of things will still take place, of course, and we are looking forward to the Czech presidency. We are of the opinion that the Czech Republic will be really able to fully use its special position as it has good relations with both sides, and we are looking forward to contributing to this process in the framework of its oncoming presidency.  

Jana Bartošová, government spokesperson: I thank Prime Ministers, the interpreter, and you for your attention.