Summary: February 26, 2002: Statement by HE. Mr. Inocencio F. Arias, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, at the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area, Iceland and Lichtenstein, align themselves with this statement.
The EU strongly condemns and expresses its dismay at the latest outbreak of terror and violence in the Middle East, which has led to more casualties, including a significant number of civilians. We wish to convey our most sincere condolences to the Israelis and the Palestinians, both victims of this situation.
The current spiral of violence must immediately cease and the suffering of both peoples be brought to an end. Both parties need to take urgent measures to restore calm and return to negotiations to solve a conflict which has no military solution. We appeal to the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to offer, with the assistance of the international community, a perspective that is different from the current perpetuation of violence and suffering of their peoples. The lack of that
perspective encourages further confrontation and plays into the hands of the extremists.
Mr. President,
Terror and violence must end. Each side must face up to its responsibilities and take immediate and resolute action.
The Palestinian Authority and its elected President, Yasser Arafat, must do everything possible to put an end to terrorism and the armed Intifada, dismantle all terrorist networks and arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of terrorist acts. In this regard, we welcome the detention by Palestinian Security Forces of those suspected of involvement in killing the Minister of Tourism of Israel.
To eradicate terrorism and work towards peace, Israel needs a partner. That partner is the Palestinian Authority and its elected President Yasser Arafat, whose capacity to exercise his authority and fight terrorism must not be weakened by travel restrictions and other obstacles.
The Israeli Government must withdraw its military forces and stop extra-judicial executions, lift the closures and all restrictions imposed on the Palestinian people and its leadership. A total freeze must be imposed on settlement activity as an immediate step. There must be an end to action against the installations of the Palestinian Authority and to the destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure and other facilities which help Palestinians in their economic, social and humanitarian
development and which are financed by the EU and other donors. We call on the Israeli government to facilitate the access of humanitarian staff and assistance to the Palestinian populations.
Mr. President,
Security is a priority, but it should not be isolated from the need for a political and economic perspective for the Palestinian people. To this end, in the Declaration of the European Union Council of Laeken, and in the latest conclusions adopted by our Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the EU has issued a firm call to the parties to adopt all necessary measures to immediately and unconditionally implement the Tenet cease-fire Plan and the Mitchell Committee recommendations. The objective of peace
building requires that security and political measures be implemented in parallel in a mutually reinforcing way.
As the Secretary General indicated in his Statement to the Security Council last Thursday, "new thinking and imaginative new ideas are being proposed from several quarters. This is to be welcomed and such ideas should be considered promptly and thoroughly both by the parties and by the international community." The European Union encourages in this regard ongoing contacts between both sides, including between the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shimon Peres, and the President of the
Palestinian National Legislative Council, Abu Ala. The EU regards also as a positive step the proposals of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and looks forward to their further development.
The European Union considers essential and urgent to attain a resolute and concerted action with the United Nations, the United States, the Russian Federation and the Arab countries who are most concerned, to help the parties break the cycle of violence and commit themselves to re-opening the way to political negotiations. In this regard, the High Representative of the European Council Mr. Javier Solana is, at this moment, in the area, to maintain appropriate contacts with the parties, as a
sign of our commitment to assist them in finding a definite solution to the conflict.
Mr. President,
We reaffirm that a just and lasting settlement of this question must be based on the principals of the Madrid Conference, in particular the principle of land for peace, and the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
The European Union is convinced that an impartial monitoring mechanism would serve the interests of both parties and is prepared to take an active part in the establishment of such a mechanism.
It is equally important to alleviate the difficult socio-economic situation of the Palestinians as a way of encouraging peace.
The EU shall spare no effort in trying to contribute to reducing the violence and ensuring that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. This requires the reaffirmation and full recognition of Israel's irrevocable right to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders, the establishment of a viable and democratic Palestinian State and an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Thank you Mr. President.
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