Summary: November 11, 2004: STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION to Madame Arafat, to the family of the deceased and to the Palestinian people (New York)
On behalf of the countries of European Union, I would like to convey our profound condolences to Madame Arafat, to the family of the deceased and to the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian people have lost a historic leader and a democratically elected President. Mr. Arafat's devotion and single-minded commitment to the Palestinian national cause throughout his life was never in doubt. He has not lived to see the birth of a Palestinian state. However, the European Union will work with the Palestinian authorities and the international community to contribute to realizing the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
The European Union would like to commend the Palestinian leadership for their demonstration of dignity and responsibility to maintain the Palestinian institutions in this difficult time. We also pay tribute to the Palestinian people who support their leadership. We wish to stress that the Palestinian people can count on of the undiminished support of the European Union on the path towards a peaceful, durable and just settlement of the conflict. We are convinced that this goal can be achieved
for both Israelis and Palestinians.
On a more personal note, we, the Permanent Representatives of the European Union would also like to convey our heartfelt condolences to our colleague Nasser Al Kidwa, the Permanent Observer of Palestine, who lost a president, but also a family member. Our sympathies are with him. May Nasser have the strength and the courage to overcome this grave loss.
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page