Summary: January 27, 2005: European Parliament - Successful Palestinian elections create a "window of opportunity" in the Middle East (Brussels)
Joint Motion for a Resolution on the situation in the Middle East
Debate : 26.01.2005
Vote : 27.01.2005
The European Parliament (EP) adopted today a resolution on the Middle East. MEPs welcome the "success" of the presidential election, notably the turnout of voters. They "pay tribute" to the "Palestinian people and authorities for their commitment to democracy", especially the women who strongly participated in the vote.
Referring to the elections, Parliament considers that the new President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud ABBAS, and the other candidates conducted the campaign "in a responsible manner under the given circumstances, respecting international standards". However, MEPs note with concern the resignation of a significant number of members of the Central Electoral Commission, who acted in protest at the political pressure exerted on Election Day for the extension of voting
time. MEPs welcome the "effectiveness of the EU observation mission" and call on both the Council and the Commission to "prepare another mission for the July general elections with the aim of supporting pluralism and balanced access to the media for all the candidates." Finally, Parliament "urges Israel" in view of the forthcoming Palestinian legislative elections, to "fully respect the internationally recognised right of all East Jerusalem residents to vote."
The resolution also recognises the "window of opportunity" offered by the election results. It invites the new Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to "relaunch negotiations." MEPs reiterate that the Roadmap is "still valid, without prior conditions." The EP provides recommendations to both parties in order to reach a political agreement. Firstly, Parliament strongly encourages President Abbas to "act upon his willingness to end violence and welcomes the
measures taken by President Abbas, as well as his willingness to reform and to reinforce control over the Palestinian security corps and to fully engage in dialogue with all concerned parties." Furthermore, the EP calls on the PA to "recognise the Palestinian's people's commitment to democracy" and to promote "the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, better separation of powers between the legislative and the executive arms of government, good governance including
transparent accounting, and the fight against corruption." Condemning all terrorist attacks, MEPs demand that the armed Palestinian groups refrain from any attacks and ask the Israeli government to refrain from retaliation and put an end of extrajudicial killings. The EP also calls on Israel to "implement withdrawal from Gaza and other parts of the Occupied Territories" and to "stop the expansion of the settlements, notably in the Jerusalem area, to halt the construction of the
wall, and to comply fully with the Fourth Geneva Convention, and thus end the violation of international law". Finally, MEPs propose an "economic development plan" which should be monitored by the Union, in order to give the region a "solid basis for prosperity and stability".
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