Mideast dominates Brussels summit

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, left, and EU foreign security chief Javier Solana at the Brussels conference

By CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley

BRUSSELS, Belgium (CNN) -- European leaders in Brussels say they have aided progress towards reviving the Middle East peace process.

At a Brussels dinner on Monday, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres, the Israeli Foreign Minister, had what their Belgian hosts described as a "direct political dialogue" for the first time since they were pressured into talks by the U.S. on September 26.

The Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt is this year's host for one of the rare events which both Israel and the Palestinians attend -- a European Union/Mediterranean conference.

With both Arafat and Peres in town, EU leaders are seeking to make their contribution to the international anti-terrorist coalition by doing all they can to inject new momentum into the Middle East peace process.

Verhofstadt said they had discussed new security measures to help the Israelis and Palestinians break the cycle of violence.

AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: CNN's Jerrold Kessel interviews Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat (November 3) 2.87 MB / 273 sec WAV sound   EXTRA INFORMATION In-depth: Mideast Struggle for Peace    MORE STORIES Israel pulls out of West Bank town    MORE STORIES More analysis by CNN's European Political Editor

"We know it is not a very easy process," he said.

"I think it is very unrealistic to think that in a few hours or a few days it is possible to achieve a long period of non-violence. But nevertheless we have to try."

Speaking alongside Arafat, European Commission President Romano Prodi called for a "really strong push" to revive the peace process, involving the EU, Russia, the U.S. and the United Nations.

He declared: "We can't go on with this blood and fighting destroying entire countries."

The Palestinian leader, who looked physically weak but who remains politically swift on his feet, was quick to promise action on European suggestions.

Arafat, who is dependent on a significant EU financial contribution to help fund the Palestinian Authority, is under growing pressure to arrest more Islamic militants and terrorists who threaten Israel.

He pledged: "We will do everything, every effort possible to thwart any terrorist operations in our area."

Asked if he was willing to meet Peres for direct talks, Arafat twice declared: "If he is ready I am ready."

Peres, however, required more convincing.

After meeting Verhofstadt and other EU leaders he said that past Palestinian promises of a clampdown on terrorism had not been met.

He said: "There is a real problem of credibility, because what was promised was not realised. And I think we are not seeking more promises. We are the Promised-Landers you know. We are really looking for real actions."

At a news conference with Verhofstadt before the dinner, Arafat said he was ready to meet Peres and was "fully committed" to making peace.

Arafat also told reporters that he appreciated Belgium's peace-making efforts.

Belgium's Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, right, and Israel's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimon Peres

"We will implement all the suggestions made by Belgium and Europe in this regard and ... make every effort possible to thwart any terrorist operation in our area," Reuters quoted Arafat as saying.

"What we are doing is important because it should serve notice to all those who are creating terrorism and problems in the world, particularly after the horrible terrorism we have seen in New York and Washington," he said.

Amid tight security, Peres and Arafat attended Monday's conference banquet and talked to each other. Their hosts hailed it as a breakthrough and a move forward.

They last held substantive peace talks on September 26, when they discussed terms to implement a Mideast cease-fire.

But getting them together for direct negotiations is a different matter.

In a separate news conference, Peres downplayed prospects for the pending meeting with Arafat.

"Just because we meet doesn't mean that all our problems are suddenly resolved," he said.

Talking is one thing, negotiating is another and Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is still insisting, to the dismay of the anti-terrorist coalition, that there will be none of that until the terrorist attacks on his countrymen abate.

This EU-Mediterranean conference is noteworthy because all 12 Mediterranean partners -- including Syria and Lebanon, which boycotted the event last year to protest against Israel's presence -- have agreed to attend.

The EU's Mediterranean initiative was launched in 1995 with the goal of establishing a free trade zone in 2010. Since then, the EU has pumped nearly $9 billion into region to support peace and boost Europe's peacemaking influence.