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EUROMED REPORT |
| Issue No 37 |
18 mars 2002
|
PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
BARCELONA EUROPEAN COUNCIL 15 AND 16 MARCH 2002
DECLARATION OF BARCELONA ON THE MIDDLE EAST
1.
The Middle East is in the grip of an extremely grave crisis. The European Union
calls on both sides to take immediate and effective action to stop the
bloodshed. There is no military solution to this conflict. Peace and security
can only be achieved through negotiations.
2.
To find a way out of the present situation it is essential to address the
security, political and economic aspects as inseparable and interdependent
elements of a single process. There is a need to restore a sound political
perspective and to implement in parallel political and security measures in a
mutually reinforcing way. The European Council warmly welcomes the adoption of
UNSC resolution 1397, which reflects the strong commitment of the international
community in this regard.
3.
This Resolution must be urgently implemented, in particular the demand for an
immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror,
provocation, incitement and destruction; and the call for the Israeli and
Palestinian sides and their leaders to cooperate in the implementation of the
Tenet work Plan and Mitchell Report recommendations with the aim of resuming
negotiations on a political settlement.
4.
The indiscriminate terrorist attacks over the past weeks killing and injuring
innocent civilians must be condemned. As the legitimate authority, the PA bears
the full responsibility for fighting terrorism with all the legitimate means at
its disposal. Its capacity to do so must not be weakened. Israel,
notwithstanding its right to fight terrorism, must immediately withdraw its
military forces from areas placed under the control of the PA, stop
extra-judicial executions, lift the closures and restrictions, freeze
settlements and respect international law. Both parties must respect
international human rights standards. The use of excessive force cannot be
justified. The actions against medical and humanitarian institutions and
personnel are absolutely unacceptable. They must be able to fully perform their
function.
5.
Taking note of the decision by the Government of Israel to release Palestinian
Authority President Arafat from his confinement in Ramallah, the European Council
demands that all remaining restrictions on his freedom of movement be
immediately lifted.
6.
The European Council welcomes the decision of the US President to send Special
Envoy Zinni back to the region. The European Union, notably through the EUSR Ambassador
Moratinos, is ready to combine its efforts with him, with the Special Envoy of
the Russian Federation and the UN Special Coordinator.
7.
The European Council remains convinced that a third party monitoring mechanism
would help both parties to pursue their efforts to that end and urges them to
consider proposals to accept observers. The European Union and the Member
States are prepared to participate in such a mechanism.
8.
The European Union is determined to play its role together with the parties,
the countries in the region, the US, the UN and Russia in the pursuit of a
solution, based on UNSC Resolutions 242, 338 and 1397 and on the principles of
the Madrid Conference, Oslo and subsequent agreements, which would allow two
states, Israel and Palestine, to live in peace and security and play their full
part in the region. The High Representative, Javier Solana, will continue his
regular consultations with all international actors involved.
9.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the overall objective is two-fold: the
creation of a democratic, viable and independent State of Palestine, bringing
to an end the occupation of 1967, and the right of Israel to live within safe
and secure boundaries, guaranteed by the commitment of the international community,
and in particular the Arab countries.
10.
The European Council welcomes the recent initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah of
Saudi Arabia, which is based on the concept of full normalisation and full
withdrawal in accordance with UN resolutions, and offers a unique opportunity
to be seized in the interest of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to
the Arab-Israeli conflict. It looks to the forthcoming Summit of the Arab
League in Beirut to take this forward and to the Government and people of Israel
to respond positively.
11.
The European Council recognises and praises those who continue to work
tirelessly for peace within the peace camps of Israeli and Palestinian society
and supports the direct contacts and dialogue that both parties are conducting.
12.
Following on its present effort, the European Union will make a full and
substantial economic contribution to peace-building in the region, with the aim
of improving the living conditions of the Palestinian people, of consolidating
and supporting the PA, of strengthening the economic basis of the future State
of Palestine and of promoting development and regional economic integration. In
this perspective, the European Union stands ready to contribute to the
reconstruction of the Palestinian economy as an integral part of regional
development.
13. The European Union remains convinced
that, in order to be durable, peace in the
Middle East must be comprehensive.
| PRODUCED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EuropeAid Cooperation OfficeDG) WEB SITE: http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/index_en.htm E-MAIL: europeaid-euromedinfo@cec.eu.int - TEL: (+32-2) 295.29.77 & 295.40.96 The Report is on the web at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/publication.htm |