EUROPEAN COUNCIL
Brussels, 16/17 December 2004
PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
DECLARATION ON THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
The European Council welcomes recent
efforts made by the Palestinian leadership to ensure a
democratic transition in the occupied Palestinian
territories. It encourages both Israelis and
Palestinians to continue to co-operate closely,
including in the area of security, with a view to the
Palestinian Presidential elections in January. The EU
will support the electoral process financially,
technically and politically, and its observer mission -
in liaison with other members of the Quartet and of the
international community - will help to verify that the
electoral process is democratic, free and fair. The
European Council also welcomes and supports the
Palestinian Authority’s intention to hold legislative
and local elections.
The European Council reiterates its
commitment to the achievement, through the process
outlined in the Roadmap, of a negotiated two-State
solution resulting in the emergence of an independent,
democratic, and viable Palestinian State living side by
side in peace and security with Israel and its other
neighbours. The parties should seize this opportunity to
accelerate the implementation of the Roadmap and
re-launch a meaningful political process.
The European Council, recalling
established EU positions, and in co-operation with the
Quartet and the international community, expresses its
willingness to support an Israeli withdrawal from the
Gaza Strip and part of the northern West Bank as a first
step in the overall process in accordance with the
conditions laid out by the European Council in March
2004. It equally expresses its commitment to intensified
peace efforts by working closely together with both
parties and all neighbouring countries. The European
Union will continue to implement the short-term
programme of action which was endorsed by the European
Council in November and which covers elections as well
as the areas of security, reforms, and the economy. The
success of these actions would be enhanced by the fact
that they are placed within the broader political
perspective.
The European Council invites the High
Representative and the Commission to present regular
reports on the progress in the implementation of the
short-term programme of action and the results of the
High Representative's consultations with the parties,
the international community and the other members of the
Quartet. The European Council encourages the parties and
the donors to maintain their current positive and
co-operative attitude. The commitment by the EU and the
international community to support the Palestinian
economic and social reconstruction will continue to be a
key factor.
The European Council recalls that a
comprehensive peace must also include Syria and Lebanon.
It also recalls the importance of the implementation of
the UNSC Resolution 1559 (2004).
