Sumario: July 24, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN on behalf of the European Union on the situation in the Middle East (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated countries: Malta and Turkey, as well as the EFTA countries of the European Economic Area: Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
The European Union deeply regrets last week's violent developments in the region and is concerned about their possible consequences.
Mr. President,
We strongly condemn any military action directed indiscriminately against civilian residential areas, whether Palestinian or Israeli.
There can be no justification for the missile attack carried out by the Israeli Air Force in a residential area in Gaza leaving a high number of individuals, including children, killed and injured. The European Union and the international community at large have consistently rejected the Israeli method of extra judicial killings. Neither this, nor any other actions, causing indiscriminate civilian casualties will bring security to the Israeli public.
The European Union also reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the recent terrorist acts against Israeli civilians. We note that the Palestinian Authority condemns such actions and renew our call on the Palestinian Authority to make all possible efforts in the struggle against terrorism.
The European Union expresses its most sincere condolences to the bereaved families and its wishes for recovery to those injured by these cruel attacks.
Mr. President,
Military and violent actions only serve to breed more hatred and undermine the attempts by the parties and by the international community to bring about reconciliation and a negotiated end to the conflict.
Only last week the Ministerial Quartet met here in New York. The meeting confirmed the Quartet's role as a key coordination forum for the international efforts to bring about a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East crisis. The subsequent discussions of the members of the Quartet with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Jordan and Egypt contributed to ensuring close coordination between the Quartet and key players among the Arab States.
The Quartet agreed on important elements for progress towards a settlement of the Middle East crisis. The European Union stressed in particular the need for parallel progress on political, economic and security issues, the need for immediate improvement in the humanitarian and social situation, the holding of free and fair elections and the convening of an International Ministerial meeting at the appropriate time. We also underlined the necessity of drawing up a roadmap towards the goal of
achieving within three years from now, a final Israeli/ Palestinian settlement, with two States living side by side in peace and security. Further, the EU remains of the view that the current efforts to reform the Palestinian Authority is key in preparing it for statehood and can - provided that Israel takes the necessary steps to allow the reform efforts to go forward - play an important confidence-building role and pave the way for resumption of political negotiations.
Mr. President,
The recently resumed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on establishing a comprehensive cease-fire and allowing the reform efforts to go forward signified the positive will of the parties concerned to work towards achieving this goal.
We therefore urge the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do all in their power to restore safety and security for their populations and call on the parties to exercise restraint to prevent an escalation of violence and to resume negotiations.
The European Union will continue to work with our partners in the Quartet and in the Arab world as well as with the international community at large towards achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 1397.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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