CAIRO, Nov. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Intensified efforts to establish a "peaceful and viable" Palestinian state would be the best tribute to the memory of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Xinhua here Friday.
   Solana made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sideline of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's funeral, which was held here Friday morning and attended by Arab and world leaders and representatives from more than 80 countries and international organizations.

   Solana said: "The best contribution to commemorate the late Palestinian leader is to intensify efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state that lives in peace alongside an Israeli one as foreseen by the roadmap."

   He added the EU would work "without delay" to see how it could "give impetus to the peace process which has been for such a long period of time stalled", pointing out that critical moment should be seized to give impulse to the peace process.

   "The EU would continue to strive for a fair and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict at an early time," the EU foreign policy chief continued.

   Asked about any contradiction between the EU and US roles in the Middle East peace process, he said, "the EU and the United States are partners in the Middle East peace process. They have complementary roles within the framework of the Quartet, which joins the EU, Russia, the United States and the UN to achieve peace in the region."

   As for the roadmap plan and why its implementation was delayed by Israel, at least from the Arab point of view, the EU official commented, "The Quartet and the countries concerned with the peace process in the region are striving for achieving peace between the Palestinians and Israel and that is why contacts are underway to overcome difficulties facing the implementation of the plan."

   Solana pointed to a keen desire on the part of many European countries to achieve progress in the Middle East conflict, noting that the European desire was strengthened by many world leaders.

   Solana arrived in Cairo late Thursday to attend Arafat's funeral.  Enditem

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