EU Presidency Statement - Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination

Statement by the UK Mission to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, on the Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination, United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee, New York

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Bulgaria and Romania, the candidate countries Turkey and Croatia*, the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine and Moldova align themselves with this statement.

We would like to restate our firm commitment to enabling the Palestinian people to fulfil their unconditional right to self-determination, including the possibility of establishing a sovereign state. Thus, the European Union warmly welcomes the goal as set forth in the Quartet Roadmap and as agreed upon by both parties, to achieve a two state solution which would result in a viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent Palestinian State existing side by side in peace with an Israel living within recognised and secure borders. It is our clear conviction that such a solution constitutes the best possible guarantee for the security of Israel and the acceptance of Israel as an integrated partner in the region.

The European Union is actively engaged in the efforts of the Quartet to seek a final, just and comprehensive settlement in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and the Roadmap as presented by the Quartet to the Parties on 30 April 2003, and in this context welcomes the recent Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank and the Agreement on Movement and Access between Israel and the Palestinian Authority as significant steps forward.

The right to self-determination includes the holding of elections within the framework of a democratic society. As such, the EU underlines the importance of the forthcoming elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council as an essential element for progress in the peace process. The EU also emphasises that violence and terror are incompatible with democratic processes and urges all factions, including Hamas, to renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist, and disarm. The EU also urges Israel to facilitate the preparations and conduct of the elections, including in occupied East Jerusalem.

The EU urges the Israeli government to cease all activities in the Palestinian territories, including settlement building and the construction of the separation barrier, which are contrary to international law and threaten to make any solution based on the co-existence of two states physically impossible.

The European Union expresses its strong commitment to assist - in co-operation with our partners in the Quartet and in the Arab world - the Palestinian people in their efforts to achieve self-determination.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.


* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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