Lieberman: the EU should settle its own problems before giving Israel advice on how to resolve the problems of the Middle East

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, has claimed that the international community is trying to compensate for its failures in settling the numerous conflicts around the world by imposing a peace agreement on the Israelis and Palestinians within a year. He added that he expected the European community to settle its own problems before giving Israel advice on how to resolve the problems in the Middle East.

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Lieberman also directed clear insults at both his guests when, during a dinner hosted by him in Jerusalem on Sunday night in honour of his French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner and the Spanish Miguel Moratinos, he asserted that in 1938 Europe had abandoned its ally, Czechoslovakia, in order to appease the Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler.

He stressed that in 2010 Israel would not be Czechoslovakia and confirmed that Israel would defend its vital interests. The two European ministers rejected Lieberman’s statements saying that it was important to reach a peaceful settlement in the present.

The two European ministers are currently in Amman and are expected to meet King Abdullah of Jordan and the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. It is expected that their discussions will focus on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the role of the EU in supporting the peace process.