Summary: August 20, 2001: Statement by H.E. Jean De Ruyt on behalf of the European Union on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine (New York)
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey and Iceland and Liechtenstein, EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
The European Union expresses today, once again, its deep concern about the violent events that have taken place in the Middle East these last months and, in particular, these last weeks. It rejects all such forms of violence as unjustifiable. Attacks of this kind merely serve to aggravate the further decline of what is already a worrying situation in the Middle East and render ineffectual all the attempts being made by the international community to relaunch the stalled political process. The
European Union calls on all parties to shun violence forthwith in favour of dialogue and negotiation. It is high time that the parties to this conflict regained their self-control and adopted a resolutely forward-looking approach, working together to restore a climate of mutual trust that will be essential if the vicious cycle of attacks and revenge is to be broken. It reminds both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities of their responsibility to do their utmost to avoid any actions resulting
in new victims. We remain convinced that there is no alternative to a political solution.
Mr. President,
The escalation of violence, that dramatically intensified these last days, is intolerable. The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the recent suicide-bomb attacks. These acts, in particular those targeted at Israeli civilians, are hateful and repugnant in the extreme. Terrorism is a serious threat to the stability of the region. It must be resisted with the utmost rigor. The European Union also condemns any assistance to the organizations, which engage in terrorism, whether this be
financial aid, arms supplies or training.
The European Union calls on the Palestinian Authority to do its utmost to stop the violence in particular by arresting and bringing to justice the perpetrators, instigators and sponsors of acts of terror.
Mr. President,
The Israeli decision to close the Orient House and other institutions in Jerusalem does not serve the interests of peace and can only weaken the Palestinian leadership at a time when it is called upon to show firm resolve in the fight against terrorism. It runs counter the declared objective, which must remain the restoration of security for all. Unilateral acts can do nothing to alter the international community's long-standing position on the status of the Occupied Territories, including East
Jerusalem. The European Union would like to see the closure reserved at the earliest possible date, and the archives returned, and Israel to demonstrate a maximum degree of restraint by avoiding any act that could be considered as provocative.
The European Union believes that extra-judicial killings are not only illegal and unacceptable but are also obstacles to peace and therefore damaging to the parties. The European Union calls on Israel to show the utmost restraint in the use of military force.
Mr. President,
The European Union reaffirms its view that the basis of negotiations, and of a just and lasting peace, must be Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and other relevant resolutions, including the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war, the need for every State in the region to be able to live in security, and the principle of land for peace. We reaffirm our believe that the only way to restore security is to return to the route mapped out by the Madrid Summit, the Oslo Accords and
the recommendations of the Mitchell report, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.
The Mitchell Commission's recommendations must be immediately and fully implemented. Any delay or further conditions placed on the implementation of these recommendations would play into the hands of extremists and perpetuate the violence. A third-party monitoring mechanism is needed in order to overcome any obstacles that might impede the application of the recommendations. The European Union is convinced it would serve the interests of both parties.
Mr. President,
The European Union urges the two sides to open a sustained political dialogue without delay in order to break the deadlock and expresses its support for the initiatives along these lines, including the one taken by Mr. Peres, the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. It expresses the hope that dialogue will allow the opening of a political perspective of the resolution of the conflict.
The European Union remains willing to play its role, in close cooperation with the United States as well as with Secretary General Kofi Annan and all partners engaged in the Middle East peace process.
The European Union expects the Security Council to contribute in a constructive and useful manner, with the view to efficiency, towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Mitchell Commission and the resumption of dialogue between the parties.
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