Summary: EU Presidency Statement - UN Security Council Public Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East (30 March 2006)
United Nations Security Council Public Meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question; Statement by Ambassador Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union.
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the EFTA country Liechtenstein, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this declaration.
The EU welcomes the holding on 25 January of elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and congratulates President Abbas and the Palestinian people on an electoral process that was free and fair. The EU, in line with the External Relations Council's conclusions issued on 30 January, fully endorses the statements made by the Quartet issued on 26 and 30 January as well as today. We welcome and reiterate our full support for President Abbas' determination to pursue a peaceful solution
of the conflict with Israel. The EU underlines that violence and terror are incompatible with democratic processes and urges Hamas and all other factions to renounce violence, to recognise Israel's right to exist, and to disarm.
The EU expects the newly elected PLC and the newly formed government to commit themselves to a peaceful and negotiated solution of the conflict with Israel based on existing agreements and the Roadmap as well as to the rule of law, reform and sound fiscal management. The EU urges the newly formed government to confront all those engaged in terror and dismantle terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. On this basis the European Union stands ready to continue to support Palestinian economic
development and democratic state building. Against the background of the Quartet's appeal for measures to facilitate the work of the interim Palestinian government, the EU mobilised on 27 February a €120 million package to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population and to help stabilise the finances of the caretaker government. As the Quartet reiterated today, future assistance to the new government will be reviewed by donors against its commitment to the principles of non-violence,
recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.
The EU congratulates acting PM Ehud Olmert on his success in the parliamentary elections on 28 March. We welcome the reiteration of his commitment to the Road Map and call on the future government to adhere to Israel's obligations under the Roadmap. The EU continues to urge Israel to reverse its settlement policy and to freeze all settlement activity, to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001 and to end land confiscation and the construction of the separation barrier on Palestinian land,
all of which threaten to render the two-State solution physically impossible to implement.
The EU condemns all acts of terror and violence. It expresses its grave concern over the recent violent events in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. It calls on both parties to exercise maximum restraint. The EU continues to urge the Palestinian Authority to take effective measures against terrorism, notably against the launching of Qassam rockets, and reform its security services. It also calls upon Israel to stop the practice of extrajudicial killings, which is contrary to international
law. The EU reminds both parties of their obligations under the Road Map and existing agreements, including the Sharm al Sheikh understandings and the agreement on movement and access.
The EU reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leading to the emergence of an independent, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours. On final status issues, the EU will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement between the parties. The EU reaffirms the central role of the Quartet in promoting progress on
the peace process.
Turning to Lebanon, the EU welcomes the launching of the national dialogue and its initial agreements in respect of the relevant UNSC resolutions. We encourage the continuation of the dialogue and hope it will contribute to political stability in the country by addressing critical issues of national concern. The EU reiterates its support for Lebanon's unity, stability and independence, and reminds its neighbours of their obligations to respect Lebanon's sovereignty. We condemn the past violent
attacks on Lebanese citizens, journalists and political leaders and the ensuing loss of lives. We are deeply concerned about the continued intimidation and about attacks against the right to freedom of expression.
The EU reaffirms its full support for the UN International Investigation Commission, under Serge Brammertz, into the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, as mandated by UNSCR 1595, 1636 and 1644, and welcomes the report by Mr. Brammertz. We urge all parties to cooperate unconditionally with the UNIIIC and hope that light will be shed on this and other assassinations.
The EU underlines the importance it attaches to the full implementation of UNSCR 1559, including disbanding and disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. We encourage the Government of Lebanon to extend its authority throughout the country.
We reaffirm our full support for the Government of Lebanon and encourage it to urgently set up and launch the economic and political reforms programme initiated during the Core Group meeting held in New York in September 2005. The EU received PM Siniora in the margins of the External Relations Council meeting on 20 March and stands ready to support credible and effective plans for political and economic reform.
The EU expresses its grave concern at the persistence of tension and violence along the Blue Line and urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint, to refrain from any provocation that could further escalate the tension and to fully respect the entire withdrawal line.
The EU reaffirms the importance of and the need to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515, the Madrid terms of reference and the principle of land for peace.
*Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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