Intervento di Emanuele Ottolenghi al lancio della campagna annuale del Keren Hayesod, Hotel Westin Excelsior, Roma, 10 Marzo 2007

Per l’Europa il possibile scenario di un attacco aereo contro l’Iran per distruggerne il potenziale nucleare è da evitare a tutti i costi. E’ certamente uno scenario che ci deve far tremare per i suoi rischi e le sue incertezze. Non esiste attualmente scenario peggiore di un intervento militare – Israeliano o Americano – contro l’Iran. Nessuno, salvo uno: la bomba iraniana.

Address by H.E Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus
Yiorgos Lillikas at the Transatlantic Institute, Brussels, 22 January 2007

I wish to thank the Transatlantic Institute for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to address such a distinguished audience. The Institute will soon celebrate the anniversary of its three years of creative presence in Brussels and in this respect, I am particularly pleased that I am here today to discuss with you the Cyprus issue after Cyprus’ accession to the EU. This development has been for us a historical landmark, perhaps the most important event in our long historical timeline. Since our accession to the EU, we have become more aware of and more focused on the contribution we can make to the Union’s policy and objectives and make our own strategic advantages available to EU policy.

I am delighted to address you here today at the Transatlantic Institute on ‘Europe at a Crossroads’. Despite all the negative spinning, reports of the death of enlargement are exaggerated, I’m glad to assure you. But it is also clear that we have to take into account the concerns of our citizens as regards the next steps of enlargement.

Solana addressed the manifold common political, religious and cultural heritage between Israel, the U.S. and Europe. Accordingly, the Second World War not only provided the impetus for the creation of Israel, but also for the transformation of Europe, both with significant help from the U.S. As such, Europe bears a special responsibility for the state of Israel. He said that Europe is ready to fulfill her role, as a partner of all parties in the search for lasting peace. He also pledged for an interfaith dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and thanked the AJC for having worked in the best traditions of this shared heritage of culture and religion – “openness, dialogue and respect for the views of others.”