23 June,2008… Within the framework of the meetings between Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs   and  EU Ambassadors to acquaint them with the most significant Egyptian stances regarding various global issues , and issues of mutual concern,  the Assistant Foreign Minister , Ambassador Fatma El Zahraa, held a meeting for EU Ambassadors, at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry  on 22nd of June to inform them of the recent developments in the Palestinian territories . Director of Palestine Department Counselor , Badr AbdulAtti participated in the meeting . The meeting reviewed the Egyptian efforts to pacify the situation in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian factions .The participants commended the Egyptian efforts , indicating Egypt's pivotal role in the Middle East in general , and the peace process in particular. The current developments in the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis as well as the Israeli practices were reviewed  foremost of which are the settlement activities which have multiplied unprecedentedly since the "Annapolis Conference", particularly in East Jerusalem – and which impact negatively on reaching a just and comprehensive solution based on the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital before the end of 2008, and according to the decisions made at the "Annapolis Conference ".  The meeting also echoed Egypt's hope that a just and comprehensive peace would be reached between both sides before the end of 2008, and according to the terms of reference of the peace process and the decisions made at the Annapolis Peace Conference.