Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-05-16-Speech-3-021"
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"en.20010516.2.3-021"2
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"Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating. Distrust between the parties is growing. Violence is claiming more victims every day.
One of the most critical issues for the peace process is the Israeli settlement policy. Both the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and the Mitchell Report demand a freeze on all settlements. The Mitchell Report also suggests that the Israelis should consider withdrawing from controversial and vulnerable settlements. The EU considers that these requirements are justified. We consider that the settlement policy is in breach of international law and constitutes a serious obstacle to peace. The EU has encouraged Israel to start to withdraw from its settlements.
We also support the Mitchell Report’s proposal that Israel should cease using live ammunition against demonstrators. Measures to build trust also include Israel repaying the taxes due to the Palestinian Authority.
A negotiated solution, or a step on the way towards one, must include the goal of establishing a democratic, sustainable and peaceful Palestinian state. The EU has defined its positions on the issue in the Berlin Declaration of March 1999 and in the New York Declaration of 12 September 2000. It will remain the task of the EU in cooperation with other interested countries and players to help the Palestinians in developing such a democratic and peaceful Palestinian state.
Lasting peace in the region is impossible without peace agreements also between Israel and Syria and between Israel and Lebanon. Considerable progress has been achieved in negotiations between Israel and Syria. These now have to be concluded and a solution found based on the principles of international law as stated earlier. Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May last year was an important precondition for a future peace agreement. Until such a peace agreement is concluded, it is important for all parties to avoid incidents and other action which may lead to continued violence.
The EU will actively contribute to the continued peace process in cooperation with other states affected and through High Representative Javier Solana, special envoy Miguel Moratinos and the Commission.
The Middle East is the original home of human civilisation. It is an area of rare cultural riches and religious importance which is now increasingly associated with the long conflict into which the region is sinking deeper and deeper. One condition for positive development in the region is the cessation of the current conflict. The Swedish Presidency wishes to do all it can to contribute to this together with other EU partners to the best of our ability.
A normal life has not been possible for the Palestinians for a long time and conditions are getting worse all the time. The EU distances itself from the increasing amount of violence in Gaza and on the West Bank: Israeli encroachment and tank fire in Palestinian-controlled areas, firing on various roads, the killing of certain selected people. Innocent civilians have lost their lives, including many children. The economic situation is also difficult. The Palestinian Authority is in deep financial crisis since the Israeli transfer payments were halted and normal economic activities ceased in the area. In practice, the Authority is living on financial grants from Arab donors and the EU.
Israel is also suffering from the economic downturn as a result of the crisis, although to a lesser extent than Palestinian society. The daily lives of Israelis are becoming more and more difficult. Violence in the form of mortar fire, car bombs and suicide bombings is increasingly affecting Israel. Israeli civilians and children are being killed.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was elected on the promise of increasing security. Instead confrontation has been exacerbated, military interventions have increased and a readiness has been demonstrated both to enter Palestinian-controlled areas and to attack Syrian targets in Lebanon. Quite simply, the security situation has got worse.
There is no long-term military solution. The conflict will neither be won or lost. The only solution to the conflict lies in negotiation. Therefore the peace process must continue.
The Presidency and the EU are in close contact with the parties and we are encouraging them to continue the peace negotiations on the basis of the result of previous negotiations, seeking to reach a permanent status agreement on the basis of international law, including UN Resolutions 242 and 338.
A crucial difficulty is the basic lack of trust between the parties. Both parties harbour the misconception that it is the
side which is solely responsible for the violence and the halting of the peace process. No one dares to show an example of reconciliation or flexibility as it is feared that
will be seen as weakness.
A diplomatic initiative is required to break the deadlock. The European Council in Stockholm commissioned High Representative Javier Solana together with the Commission to also report to the Gothenburg Summit in June on how the EU can promote the peace effort. Javier Solana reported the progress of this work at the Gymnich meeting in Nyköping on 5 May.
The EU welcomes and supports the Mitchell Commission’s report and proposals, as it does the Egyptian-Jordanian peace initiative, which is based on agreements in which Israel took part. Both proposals encourage the parties to immediately enter into cease-fire agreements, to confirm their willingness to respect agreements entered into and seek to reopen negotiations. Measures to build trust are required if negotiations are to succeed."@en1
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