Quds, July 23, SPA--EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana wound up a stormy two-day visit to Israel on Friday saying Europe will play a role in Mideast peacemaking _ whether Israel likes it or not. Infuriated by the European Union's support for a U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for the demolition of Israel's West Bank barrier, Israeli officials have been blasting Brussels and giving Solana a frosty reception. A scheduled meeting between Solana and Vice Premier Ehud Olmert was canceled at the request of the Foreign Ministry. Other talks took place « in the shadow of Europe's vote,» Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said. In a meeting with Solana Thursday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the Europeans' action would make it difficult for Israel to involve the EU in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Solana was unfazed, saying the EU has strategic interests in the Middle East and would not allow itself to be frozen out of peace efforts. --More 1418 Local Time 1118 GMT
