June 27,
1989
1989 Summit of the EU regarding the Middle East
The European Council has examined the situation in the Middle East conflict in
the light of recent events and contacts undertaken over several months by the
Presidency and the Troika with the parties concerned, and it has drawn the
following conclusions:
1. The policy of the Twelve on the Middle East conflict is defined in the Venice
Declaration of 13 June 1980 and other subsequent declarations. It consists in
upholding the right to security of all states in the region, including Israel,
that is to say, to live within secure, recognized and guaranteed frontiers, and
in upholding justice for all the peoples of the region, which includes
recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their
right to self-determination with all that this implies.
The Twelve consider that these objectives should be achieved by peaceful means
in the framework of an international peace conference under the auspices of the
United Nations, as the appropriate forum for the direct negotiations between the
parties concerned, with a view to a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement.
The European Council is also of the view that the PLO should participate in this
process. It expresses its support for every effort by the permanent members of
the Security Council of the United Nations to bring the parties closer together,
create a climate of confidence between them, and facilitate in this way the
convening of the international conference.
2. The community and its Member States have demonstrated their readiness to
participate actively in the search for a negotiated solution to the conflict and
to cooperate fully in the social and economic development of the peoples of the
region.
The European Council expresses its satisfaction regarding the policy of contacts
with all parties undertaken by the Presidency and the Troika, and has decided to
purse it.
3. The European Council welcomes the support given by the Extraordinary Summit
Meeting of the Arab League, held in Casablanca, to the decisions of the
Palestinian National Council in Algiers, involving acceptance of Security
Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which resulted in the recognition of Israel's
right to exist, as well as the renunciation of terrorism.
It also welcomes the efforts undertaken by the United States in their contracts
with the parties directly concerned and particularly the dialogue entered into
with the PLO
Advantage should be taken of these favorable circumstances to engender a spirit
of tolerance and peace with a view to entering resolutely on the path of
negotiations..
4. The European Council deplores the continuing deterioration of the situation
in the Occupied Territories and the constant increase in the number of dead and
wounded, and the suffering of the population.
It appeals urgently to the Israeli authorities to put an end to repressive
measures, to implement Resolutions 605, 607, and 608 of the Security Council and
to respect the provisions of the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian
Populations in Times of War.
They appeal in particular for the reopening educational facilities in the West
Bank.
5. On the basis of the positions of principle of the Twelve, the European
Council welcomes the proposal for elections in the Occupied Territories as a
contribution to the peace process, provided that:
The elections are set in the context of a process towards a comprehensive, just,
and lasting settlement of the conflict. the elections take place in the Occupied
Territories, including East Jerusalem, under adequate guarantees of freedom. no
solution is excluded and the final negotiation takes place on the basis of
Resolutions 242 and 338 of the Security Council of the United Nations, based on
the principle of "land for peace".
6. the European Council launches a solemn appeal to the parties concerned to
seize the opportunity to achieve peace. Respect by each of the parties for the
legitimate rights of the other should facilitate the normalizing of relations
between all the countries of the region.
The European Council calls upon the Arab countries to establish normal relations
of peace and cooperation with Israel and asks that country in turn to recognize
the right of the Palestinian people to exercise self-determination.