Sommaire: July 18, 2003: EU Presidency Statement by Mr. Valentino Simonetti, Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy, on behalf of the European Union. Item 11 of the Agenda: Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan. Substantive Session of ECOSOC (GENEVA, 30 JUNE - 25 JULY 2003)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union under item 11 on the draft resolution on "Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab Population in the occupied Syrian Golan".
Mr. President,
the European Union is fully committed to promoting a lasting, peaceful and just settlement of the Middle East Conflict. As stated recently at the European Council in Thessaloniki, there is an historic opportunity for peace in the Middle East and we are determined not to miss it.
Mr. President,
the EU welcomes the decision of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to accept the road map developed by the Quartet, with full participation of the EU, which contains clear timelines for a comprehensive settlement including the establishment of a Palestinian State by 2005 and the solution of all outstanding issues.
The EU is convinced that there is no alternative to the speedy implementation in good faith by all sides of the Quartet roadmap and reaffirms its readiness to contribute in all aspects of the implementation, including through the setting up of a credible and effective monitoring mechanism.
Mr. President,
The EU remains deeply concerned by the continuing violence on the ground during the past year. Most important now is the implementation of the Roadmap. Visible and clear gestures of good faith by both sides are imperative in order to restore hope and promote stability in the Middle East. It is crucial that parallel progress is made in the political, economic and security fields. In this regard, the EU welcomes the announcement by most of the Palestinian movements of a suspension of attacks
against Israeli targets, as well as the beginning of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Bethlehem.
Mr. President,
the EU calls on the Government of Israel to make all possible efforts to support Palestinian authorities and ease the plight of the Palestinian people through immediate actions. The EU underlines that action is particularly needed on Israeli side to facilitate movement of Palestinian people and goods, as well as access by international humanitarian organizations into the Territories so to improve the humanitarian situation and normalize the daily life of the Palestinian people that has
continuously and drastically deteriorated during the past year. As the Thessaloniki European Council conclusions of 20 June 2003 underlined, the situation of the Israeli settlements needs to be urgently addressed and, in this connection the EU welcomes the undertaking made by Prime Minister Sharon at Aqaba. The EU calls on Israel to remove outposts, to reverse the settlement policy and activity, to end land confiscations and the construction of the so-called security fence all of which threaten
to render the two state solution physically impossible to implement.
Mr. President,
the European Union reiterates its vision, shared by the International Community at large including the parties, of two States living side by side in peace and security, which includes an end to the occupation and the establishment of a sovereign, viable and peaceful Palestinian State with democratic institutions and security and recognition for Israel. The aim of all our efforts remains to reach a settlement negotiated between the Parties based on UNSCR 242, 338 and 1397, ending the occupation
which began in 1967, encompassing the Syrian and Lebanese tracks and including an agreed, just, fair and realistic solution to the refugee issue, and a negotiated resolution on the status of Jerusalem based on international law, including the above mentioned Security Council resolutions, and taking into account the political and religious concerns of both sides and protects the religious interests of Jews, Muslims and Christians worldwide.
Mr. President, thank you.
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