Council Conclusions on Middle East
Peace Process
(2679th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting,
Luxembourg, 3 October 2005)
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
" The Council welcomed the successful conclusion of the
Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern
West Bank. It commended Israel’s armed forces and police
for the smooth and professional way in which settlers
were evacuated and the Palestinian Authority and people
for maintaining a peaceful environment during the
evacuation.
The Council welcomed the Quartet meeting in New York on
20 September, and fully endorsed the statement made by
the Quartet at that meeting.
The Council welcomed disengagement as a significant step
towards implementing the Roadmap. It praised the
positive steps on both sides but emphasised that more
remains to be done. It called for renewed action in
parallel by both parties to fulfil their obligations
under the Roadmap, and commitments made at Sharm el
Sheikh. The Council urged contacts and co-ordination
between the parties to be intensified at all levels.
The Council expressed its concern at the renewed
violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories. The
Council condemned the violence perpetrated by
Palestinian militants and encouraged the Palestinian
Authority to continue to take firm action against those
responsible and to take all necessary steps to take full
control of security in the Gaza Strip. The Council
emphasised that terrorist attacks damage the interests
of the Palestinians and that they have dire humanitarian
consequences. While recognising Israel's right to
protect its citizens against terrorist attacks, the
Council called on Israel to act with restraint and to
refrain from all extra-judicial killings, which are
contrary to international law.
The Council emphasised the importance of Palestinian
security sector reform and of the co-ordination of
international efforts in this regard. It urged the
Palestinian Authority to take sustained action against
individuals involved in terrorism and terrorist groups.
The Council emphasised the EU’s commitment to continued
and enhanced support to Palestinian civil policing
through the EU Co-ordination Office for Palestinian
Police Support. The Council welcomed the agreement
between Israel and Egypt on security arrangements along
the Gaza/Egypt border.
The Council expressed its grave concern about the
ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West
Bank and the continuing construction of the separation
barrier in occupied Palestinian territory. These
activities form an obstacle to peace and threaten to
make any solution based on the coexistence of two states
physically impossible. The Council urged Israel to stop
settlement expansion and to remove unauthorised
outposts. The Council reiterated that, while recognising
Israel’s right to protect its citizens, the construction
of the separation barrier in the occupied Palestinian
territory is contrary to international law. The Council
remained particularly concerned by the settlement
building and the construction of the separation barrier
in and around East Jerusalem, which is having a
detrimental effect on the lives of Palestinians and
jeopardises a final status agreement on Jerusalem.
The EU stands ready to help the Quartet Special Envoy
for disengagement, James Wolfensohn, resolve outstanding
issues on disengagement, particularly concerning the
economic viability of Gaza and confidence-building at
Gaza's southern border. The Council emphasised the
importance of reaching an agreement on access to Gaza
for people and goods through land borders, a port and
airport. The Council welcomed the Commission’s recently
announced package for increased support for
infrastructure and for the Palestinian economy. The
Council further welcomed the Commission’s intention to
submit proposals on EU/Palestinian co-operation beyond
disengagement, focussing on institution-building and
economic recovery, including support to the private
sector, in particular SMEs. The Council underlined the
importance of the whole international community playing
a part in supporting the Palestinian Authority in taking
effective control of Gaza and facilitating sustainable
growth."
