Summary: July 25, 2002: Statement by Head of Section Erik Rasmussen, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, at the ECOSOC Substantive Session on: Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the “European Union under item 11 on the draft resolution on Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab Population in the occupied Syrian Golan”.
The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, align themselves with this statement.
The Members of the European Union as well as countries just mentioned, who are also members of the Economic and Social Council, will as in previous years vote in favour of the resolution. The European Union wish to take this opportunity to restate our full commitment to promoting a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Middle East Conflict.
As reiterated at the European Council in Seville a settlement can only be achieved through negotiation. There is no military solution to the conflict. The European Union expresses once again its profound regret at the loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives, among them many children. Both sides have the responsibility to pave the way for a negotiated and political solution. The European Union shares the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security, which includes an end to the occupation and the early establishment of a sovereign, viable and peaceful State of Palestine with democratic institutions. A fair solution should be found to the complex issue of Jerusalem, and a just, viable and agreed solution to the problem of the Palestinian refugees.
The European Union expresses its increasing concern about the mounting humanitarian crisis in Palestinian areas and we are determined to address urgent Palestinian needs. In this context we stress the need for full, safe and unfettered access for international and humanitarian personnel in order to enable efficient assistance to be provided to the Palestinian people.
The European Union will work with the parties and with its partners in the international community, especially within the Quartet and within the region, to pursue every opportunity for peace and for a decent future for the people affected by the conflict.
Mr. President, thank you.
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