DECLARATION TO BE ANNEXED TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS

Brussels, 16 December 2005

1. The European Council renews its commitment to a secure, prosperous and peaceful Middle East and Mediterranean, based on respect for the rule of law, democracy and human rights.
    

2. The European Council recognises the situation and the challenges that the countries of the Middle East and Mediterranean face. It urges all its partners to settle their disputes peacefully, renounce the threat or use of force, end incitement and promote regional security. It urges them to adhere to and comply with international non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament agreements, and to pursue a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. It urges them to tackle terrorism and terror-networks. The EU is committed to working with all countries to deal with these challenges.
   
   Iran
    

3. The European Council condemns unreservedly President Ahmadinejad’s call for the eradication of Israel and his denial of the Holocaust. These comments are wholly unacceptable and have no place in civilised political debate. The European Council recalls that in November this year the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus, including Iran, a resolution which "rejects any denial of the Holocaust as an historical event either in full or in part" urging all Member States to educate their population about the Holocaust. The European Council reaffirms the right of the State of Israel to exist within secure and recognised borders. The European Council recalls that all Members of the United Nations have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The EU calls on the Iranian leadership to join the international consensus on the need for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israel conflict, to support the search for peace between Israel and its neighbours and to end support for groups which advocate or engage in acts of terrorism.
    

4. The European Council is gravely concerned at Iran’s failure to build confidence that its nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. Iran’s resumption of activity at the Uranium Conversion Facility in Esfahan, its continuing lack of transparency and its refusal to take the steps required of it in successive IAEA Board Resolutions only add to the EU’s profound concerns about Iran’s intentions. While the EU continues to work for a diplomatic solution, the window of opportunity will not remain open indefinitely and the European Council urges Iran to respond constructively, including by implementing all the confidence-building measures the IAEA Board has sought and refraining from any further unilateral move which might aggravate the situation.
    

5. The European Council underlines that whether the EU’s long-term relationship with Iran improves or deteriorates will depend on progress on all issues of concern. Given provocative political moves by Iran since May, the Council agrees on the need to keep the EU’s diplomatic options under close review and continue to calibrate the EU’s approach in light of Iranian declarations and actions. The European Council reiterates its deep concern about the lack of respect for human rights and fundamental political freedoms in Iran, and calls on Iran to demonstrate respect for these principles by taking concrete steps, including permanently releasing Akbar Ganji and other prisoners of conscience. In the spirit of EU solidarity, it calls on Iran to lift all discriminatory restrictions against individual Member States.
   
   Iraq
    

6. The European Council reaffirms the EU’s continued support for Iraq’s political transition in line with UNSCRs 1546 and 1637 and its commitment to assist the Iraqi people in building a secure, stable, unified and prosperous Iraq. It warmly welcomes the 15 December elections as a further step towards democracy and stability in Iraq, and encourages the swift formation of a new government thereafter. The European Council recognises that divisions remain within Iraq. It calls on all parties in Iraq to commit themselves to exclusively peaceful activities, and to work actively towards reconciliation. It condemns utterly the terrorist atrocities. The European Union stands ready to support the Iraqi people in broadening further the consensus on the future of their country, including through the review of the Constitution, and continuing to build up a new and inclusive post-Saddam political system. The European Council welcomes the meeting on Iraq organised by the Arab League on 19-21 November and supports the convening of a conference on national accord in early 2006. The European Council strongly urges regional states, in particular Syria and Iran, to support the political process in Iraq and to develop good neighbourly relations, including by co-operating with Iraq to prevent cross-border transit and support for terrorists.
    

7. The European Council reiterates its commitment to supporting Iraq’s reconstruction, including through the EU’s Rule of Law mission. The European Council expresses its concern about recent reports of human rights violations in Iraq, and urges the Iraqi authorities to address these urgently and transparently. It underlines the EU’s strong opposition to the use of the death penalty. It remains committed to regular political dialogue with Iraq under the Joint EU-Iraq Political Declaration. The EU hopes to broaden and enhance its relationship further with Iraq once the constitutionally elected government is set up, including through the establishment of contractual relations.
   
   Lebanon
    

8. The European Council reiterates its support for Lebanon's unity, stability and independence, and reminds its neighbours of their obligations to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty. The European Council strongly condemns the assassination of Gibran Tueni and the murder of companions travelling with him. This assassination is the latest in a vicious campaign against Lebanese citizens, journalists, political leaders and their right to freedom of expression. The European Council also notes with extreme concern the conclusions of the second report of the UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) under Mr. Detlev Mehlis. It notes the confirmation of serious indications of the involvement of Lebanese and Syrian security services in the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and expresses its concern at the incomplete co-operation provided by the Syrian authorities to the Commission. It urges Syria to co-operate unconditionally with UNIIC as they continue their efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the assassination of Rafiq Hariri. [It welcomes UNSCR XXX of 15 December which extends the mandate of the UNIIIC; authorises the UNIIIC to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese Authorities in their investigations into other terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since 1 October 2004; and acknowledges the Lebanese Government's request that those charged with involvement in Rafiq Hariri's assassination should be tried in a tribunal of an international character.]
    

9. The European Council reaffirms its full support for the Government of Lebanon and urges it to extend its authority throughout the country and to tackle urgently economic and political reform as agreed at the Core Group meeting held in New York last September. It welcomes the International Conference to be held in early 2006. It reminds all concerned of their obligation to implement UNSCR 1559 in its entirety, including the disbanding and disarmament of all militias.
   
   Middle East Peace Process
    

10. The European Council reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the Quartet Roadmap. It welcomes the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank as a significant step towards implementing the Roadmap. The launch of the EU Border Assistance Mission to monitor the operation of the Rafah crossing and EU assistance to reinforce Palestinian border management capacities reflect the strong commitment of the EU to support the parties as they work together for a lasting, negotiated settlement. It calls for swift implementation of all aspects of the 15 November agreement on movement and access. It commends the efforts of the Quartet Special Envoy and underlines the importance of continued international engagement in the Peace Process.
     

11. The European Council emphasises that all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, should renounce violence, recognise Israel’s right to exist, and disarm. Those who want to be part of the political process should not engage in armed activities, as there is a fundamental contradiction between such activities and the building of a democratic state. In this respect, the European Council welcomes the Palestinian Authority’s statements condemning violence and urging groups who have engaged in terrorism to abandon this course and engage in the democratic process. It urges the Palestinian Authority to take firm action against those committing acts of violence or intimidation and assume full control of security in the areas under its authority. The EU remains committed to supporting Palestinian reforms and strengthening the Palestinian security forces and civil policing capacity, including through the EU Civil Policing Mission and working with the US Security Co-ordinator.
     

12. The European Council emphasises the importance of the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council foreseen for January 2006. It urges Israel to co-operate fully with the Palestinian Authority on the preparation and conduct of the elections, especially concerning freedom of movement for all candidates, election workers and voters, in particular in East Jerusalem, and welcomes the launch of the EU’s Electoral Observation Mission.
     

13. The European Council urges the Israeli government to cease all activities in the Palestinian Territories that are contrary to international law, including settlement building, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the construction of the separation barrier on occupied land. These threaten to make any solution based on the co-existence of two viable states physically impossible. Israeli activities in and around East Jerusalem cause particular concern, especially with regard to reaching a final settlement agreement on Jerusalem.
    
    Regional Stability
     

14. The European Council urges all states concerned to take immediate practical measures to support regional stability. This includes supporting the search for peace between Israel and its neighbours, the inclusive political process within Iraq and the implementation of UNSCR 1559 and other relevant Resolutions in Lebanon, and by ending support for groups which use violence, by preventing their movement, organisation and arms supplies, and by influencing them to abstain from terrorism.
    
    
    Political, Social and Economic Reform
     

15. The European Council underlines its commitment to support political, social and economic reform. It emphasises the importance it attaches to full implementation of the EU’s Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and Middle East and its commitment to work with all countries of the region, including the GCC countries, Yemen, Iran and Iraq.
    
    Barcelona Process
     

16. The European Council recalls that the Barcelona Process, enhanced through the European Neighbourhood Policy, provides the central framework for relations with the Mediterranean countries. The European Council welcomes the progress on implementing the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans that have been concluded with Israel, Jordan, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and Tunisia; notes the start of negotiations with Egypt and the preliminary consultations with Lebanon; and invites the Commission to draw up a national report on Algeria with a view to negotiating an action plan.
     

17. The European Council welcomes the 10th Anniversary Euromed Summit in Barcelona on 27-28 November, which adopted a jointly agreed Five-Year Work Programme and a Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism. The Five-Year Work Programme contains medium term targets in the field of political and security partnership; sustainable economic growth and reform; education and socio-cultural exchanges; and migration, social integration, justice and security. It recommends that every Presidency, after consulting with the Commission and Member States, present a report to the Council detailing their plans to implement the Work Programme and invites the Commission to update the Council periodically on its implementation. The Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism represents a significant advance in our political and security co-operation with Mediterranean partners.
    
    Libya
     

18. The European Council notes the continuing progress in the development of the EU's relations with Libya, while urging a continued effort to resolve EU concerns and other outstanding bilateral issues. It recalls the EU's wish to see Libya become a full member of the Barcelona Process, in which Libya could play a valuable role. Participation in the Process, and subsequent progression towards the conclusion of an Association Agreement, would require Libya to accept the Declaration and Barcelona acquis in full.