This week, at a critical juncture of the Middle East conflict, influential figures in their individual capacities from Syria, the USA, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Russia and Saudi Arabia gather to highlight that it is possible for all sides to meet and examine the issues soberly and constructively.
“The aim is to re-energize Middle East peace talks,” says John Marks, President of Search for Common Ground. “Despite all the obstacles, we hope to re-start meaningful negotiations.”
In order to reignite the spirit of peacemaking of the 1991 Madrid Middle East Peace Conference, five international civil society organizations –the Toledo International Center for Peace, Search for Common Ground, Fundacion Tres Culturas, the FAFO Institute and the International Crisis Group— have joined efforts to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 1991 Madrid peace conference.
As a civil society initiative, participants will be from civil society, government and academia. Madrid+15 is an unofficial gathering – and not a negotiation. There will be an inaugural plenary session where speeches will be given by participating groups followed by plenary working sessions where various issues will be discussed, including a regional approach to peace.
According to Emilio Cassinello, Director General of the Toledo International Center for Peace, “Madrid+15 aims at achieving three goals: delivering a message that all parties can convene and that differences are not insurmountable; building on the work of the last fifteen years to map the expectations and concerns of all; and serving as a springboard for official talks.” The meeting will also link the efforts of civil society with former and current officials.
“Madrid+15” is supported by the governments of Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. This initiative has been positively welcomed as underlined by the presence of officials such as Javier Solana, Amr Moussa, and members of the Israeli Knesset. “If we are to generate new momentum for Middle East peace and stability it is critical that the spirit that inspired the first Madrid meeting be revived,” says Gareth Evans, President of the International Crisis Group.
