Sommaire: November 29, 2004: STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. DIRK JAN VAN DEN BERG, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NETHERLANDS TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, on the Question of Palestine (Agenda item 37) - GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia , the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.
Mr. President,
The European Union expresses its solidarity with the Palestinian people in this difficult moment.
At the moment, there is a window of opportunity to revive the Middle East peace process. We therefore call on all parties to demonstrate the necessary courage and leadership to break through the present deadlock, put an end to the hostilities and re-engage in a serious political process as set out in the Road Map.
The European Union believes that the Palestinian Authority should make a 100% effort to halt terror against Israelis, maintain unity, avoid provocation and undertake the necessary preparations for co-ordination with Israel over the Israeli disengagement plan. At the same time, Israel should lift restrictions on the freedom of movement of people and goods, release Palestinian prisoners and or administrative detainees, halt settlement activity and cease and reverse the construction of the
separation barrier. Israel should also co-ordinate disengagement with the relevant Palestinain authorities.
While reaffirming our commitment to pursue High Representative Solana's short term assistance programme, the EU thinks that immediate action is required on three interrelated prioity areas: presidential elections, improvement of the security situation and financial support to the Palestinian Authority.
The European Union strongly supports the decision to hold free and fair elections, in accordance with Palestinian law. Elections play an indispensable role in the process of extablishing strong democratic institutions. In this regard, the EU stands ready to assist the Palestinian Authority financially, technically and politically. The European Union calls on Israel to facilitate smooth and orderly elections by allowing proper voter registration and elections in the Palestinian Territories,
including Occupied East Jerusalem, by allowing free movement of Palestinian politicians, legislators and other officials to prepare and hold elections, by allowing presidential candidates to campaign and Palestinians to cast their votes and by lifting closures and removing roadblocks.
On security, the European Union has decided to accelerate the implementation of its Civil Police Assitance programme. We call on Israel and the PA to resume security co-operation and simultaneously implement in full their requirements under the Roadmap. Palestinians should immediately implement the security sector reforms, issue public calls to end terrorism and achieve a lasting cease-fire. At the same time, Israel should end its military incursions, transfer security responsibility to the
restructured Palestinian security forces and refrain from actions that would undermine trust in these forces.
The European Union is conscious of the need to establish a strong, vibrant and democratic Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian people deserve a competent and accountable government. At this critical moment in time, the Palestinian Authority should dispose of the means necessary to carry out its functions. The international community and Israel have a shared responsibility to support this. The European Union reaffirms its willingness to continue its financial support for the Palestinian
Authority and calls on Israel to respect the agreements in place by resuming the tax revenue payments and releasing financial arrears withheld so far.
While it is clear that these and other short-term initiatives are crucial and require full co-operation from all sides, the European Union is confident that their success would be greatly enhanced if they were placed within the broader political erspective.
The European Union reiterates its readiness to co-ordinate its efforts with the parties involved and with its partners, in particular the Quartet members and countries in the region. We therefore welcome the Quartet principals meeting which took place on 23 November.
Mr. President,
The European Union, as a Union, has in the past had reservations about the terms of reference of the two United Nations bodies dealing with the question of Palestine, on the basis that it was felt that they do not sufficiently reflect the spirit of the peace process. Since the EU now has two Member States who have historically held a different view, our voting pattern will respect this position and reflect it accordingly.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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