EU Presidency Statement - Illegal Israeli Actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Mr. President,

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia[1], the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

The Advisory Opinion of the Court on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian Territory will need to be studied carefully.

The European Union, while recognizing Israel's right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, has demanded that Israel stops and reverses the construction of the Barrier inside the occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is in contradiction to the relevant provisions of international law.

The European Union underlines that the political process, as laid down in the Roadmap, is of overriding importance. The European Union reiterates its conviction that the political process represents the only route to achieving a negotiated two-State solution agreed between the parties which would result in a viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent Palestinian State existing side by side in peace with an Israel living within recognized and secure borders.

Thank you, Mr. President.


[1] Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

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