7. Welcomes the first meeting since the Israeli elections between the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tsipi Livni, held on 20 May 2006 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, which constitutes an encouraging sign paving the way for the planned meeting between Mr Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert; hopes that these contacts will eventually lead to the resumption of peace negotiations, pushing forward the long-stalled peace process;

Within the framework of the EU-Western Balkan Forum, the first meetings were held with the Ministers responsible for Justice and Home Affairs' issues in November 2003 and with the Foreign Ministers in December 2003.

Political dialogue is handled through biannual meetings of EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers while economic dialogue is maintained in regular EC-ASEAN Economic Ministers meetings.

The Council of Ministers, in particular the General Affairs Council composed of Ministers for Foreign Affairs, has lost its capacity to give political guidance and arbitrate between sectoral interests, particularly where this involves resolving disputes between different home departments over the position to be taken on EU proposals.

The Council of Ministers, in particular the General Affairs Council composed of Ministers for Foreign Affairs, has lost its capacity to give political guidance and arbitrate between sectoral interests, particularly where this involves resolving disputes between different home departments over the position to be taken on EU proposals.

Minister with special responsibility for European Affairs