Lords EU Committee to report on Middle East Peace Process and EU's role in the quartet

The House of Lords European Union Committee will on Tuesday 24 July publish its much anticipated report on the EUís role in the Middle East Peace Process.

The report will look in detail at the EUís role in the Quartet, its early commitment to a two state solution, the impact of the recent collapse of the Palestinian National Unity Government and will also set out why the EU is in a strong position to be a constructive force in revitalising the peace process. The report also deals with the EUís relations with Syria, Lebanon and Iran

The report is published at a time when there is a new renewed focus on the Middle East. The recent events in Gaza have had a massive impact on the whole region. The Committee will warn that the situation in Palestine could deteriorate further and the crisis is in danger of spreading.

Next week will also see Tony Blair make his first visit to the Middle East in his role as envoy for the Quartet. Mr Blair will meet with Mahmoud Abbas and Ehud Olmert on Monday.

The report is published at 00:01 on Tuesday 24 July 2007. It will be available under embargo from 10:30am on Monday 23 July.

The Committee will hold a briefing for Journalists at 11am on Monday 23 July. The briefing will be held in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords the report will be available in Committee Room 3 from 10:30am.

The full details of the briefing are:

Who: Lord Roper (Committee Chairman), Baroness Symons (Committee Member and former Minister of State for the Middle East), Lord Hannay (Committee Member and former Ambassador to the UN and EU).

What: Launch of House of Lords European Union Committee report on the EU and the Middle East Peace Process.

When: 11:00am on Monday 23 July 2007

Where: Committee Room 3, Committee Corridor, House of Lords, SW1.

This briefing will be ëon cameraí and both TV and still cameras are welcome. This requires special dispensation from the House authorities so it is vital anyone wishing to film or take pictures informs Owen Williams in the Lords Committee Office at the earliest opportunity.

If you wish to attend the briefing, arrange an interview with Lord Roper or for further information please contact Owen Williams on 020 7219 8659.