"Israel is an indispensible partner for the EU. We wish to see a secure State of Israel living in peace, side by side with a viable State of Palestine.
I look forward to the opening of the exhibition on Gilad Shalit in the EP. I met his father before. The European Parliament is calling for Shalit's immediate release.
I believe we should see the changes in the Arab World as an opportunity, not a threat. We need more stable democracies in the Middle East. Peace and freedom go hand in hand.
Now is the time to get the peace process up and running again. A negotiated peace between Israel and Palestine is in the interest of all. It is the only way to a viable two-state solution.
We hope that the latest Quartet efforts and a clear time-line for negotiations will bring results."