EU Council conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process
Summary: 22 July 2014, Brussels - Council of the European Union Foreign
Affairs Council meeting conclusions on the MEPP
http://www.eu-un.europa.eu/articles/en/article_15300_en.htm
The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The EU is extremely concerned at the continued escalation of violence in
Gaza and calls for an immediate cessation of the hostilities based on a
return to the November 2012 ceasefire agreement. In this regard the EU
welcomes on-going efforts by regional partners, and in particular by Egypt,
and reiterates its readiness to provide the necessary support to this end.

The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by
Hamas and militant groups in the Gaza Strip, directly harming civilians.
These are criminal and unjustifiable acts. The EU calls on Hamas to
immediately put an end to these acts and to renounce violence. All terrorist
groups in Gaza must disarm. The EU strongly condemns calls on the civilian
population of Gaza to provide themselves as human shields.

The EU condemns the loss of hundreds of civilian lives, among them many
women and children. While recognizing Israel's legitimate right to defend
itself against any attacks, the EU underlines that the Israeli military
operation must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian
law. The EU stresses the need for protection of civilians at all times. The
EU is particularly appalled by the human cost of the Israeli military
operation in Shuja'iyya, and is deeply concerned at the rapidly
deteriorating humanitarian situation. All sides must meet their obligations
and immediately allow safe and full humanitarian access in Gaza for the
urgent distribution of assistance. The EU calls on all sides to implement in
good faith an immediate cease fire.

2. This tragic escalation of hostilities confirms again the unsustainable
nature of the status quo with regard to the situation in the Gaza Strip.
While fully recognizing Israel's legitimate security needs, the EU
underlines that the humanitarian and socio-economic situation in Gaza must
be addressed. It reiterates its call for the immediate, sustained and
unconditional opening of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid,
commercial goods and persons to and from the Gaza Strip, in line with UNSC
resolution 1860 (2009).

The EU stands ready, including through the reactivation of the EUBAM Rafah
mission, if conditions allow, to contribute to a comprehensive and
sustainable solution meeting the legitimate security, economic and
humanitarian needs of Israelis and Palestinians.

3. The EU strongly condemns the abduction and brutal murder of teenagers
from both sides. The perpetrators of these barbaric acts must be brought to
justice. The EU commends Israeli and Palestinian leaders for their
condemnation of the killings of the abducted teenagers and it deplores all
irresponsible statements made in this context on either side. The EU
believes that the tragic events of the past weeks reinforce the need for
Israelis and Palestinians to work together to fight all forms of terror and
violence and to combat incitement.

4. Recent events in the wider Middle East pose serious threats to the EU as
well as to its immediate neighbours. The European Union reiterates its
fundamental commitment to the security of Israel, including with regard to
current and emerging threats in the region.

5. The EU has fully supported US-led peace efforts and underlines that these
efforts must not go to waste. The EU is convinced that the regional context
and the current crisis make a twostate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict more necessary than ever. The EU urges the parties to resume
meaningful negotiations with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace
agreement based on a two-state solution. The only way to resolve the
conflict is through an agreement that ends the occupation which began in
1967, that ends all claims and that fulfils the aspirations of both parties.
A one state reality would not be compatible with these aspirations.

6. The EU recalls that a lasting solution to the conflict must be achieved
on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid
principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously
reached by the parties and of the Arab Peace Initiative, with the State of
Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable
State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and mutual
recognition. The EU believes that clear parameters defining the basis for
negotiations are key elements for a successful outcome. The EU has set out
and will continue to actively promote its position with regard to parameters
in Council Conclusions of December 2009 and December 2010, and as expressed
by the EU in the UN Security Council on 21 April 2011. On this basis, the EU
is willing to work with the US and other partners on an initiative to
relaunch the peace negotiations, based on the following parameters:

- An agreement on the borders of the two states, based on 4 June 1967 lines
with equivalent land swaps as may be agreed between the parties. The EU will
recognize changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to
Jerusalem, only when agreed by the parties.

- Security arrangements that, for Palestinians, respect their sovereignty
and show that the occupation is over; and, for Israelis, protect their
security, prevent the resurgence of terrorism and deal effectively with
security threats, including with new and vital threats in the region.

- A just, fair, agreed and realistic solution to the refugee question.

- Fulfilment of the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem. A way must be
found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future
capital of both states.

7. The preservation of the viability of the two-state solution must remain a
priority . The developments on the ground make the prospect of a two-state
solution increasingly unattainable. Reaffirming its commitment to implement
the Council Conclusions of May and December 2012 as well as the
applicability of international human rights and humanitarian law in the
occupied Palestinian territory, the EU calls on Israel to halt continued
settlement expansion, including East Jerusalem, especially in sensitive
areas such as Har Homa, Givat Hamatos and E1, which severely threatens the
two state solution; to put an end to settler violence, to the worsening of
living conditions for Palestinians in Area C, to demolitions - including of
EU funded projects -, evictions and forced transfers, and to increasing
tensions and challenges to the status quo on the Temple Mount/Haram
al-Sharif. A fundamental change of policy on these negative developments is
necessary to prevent the irreversible loss of the two state solution.

8. The EU has welcomed the appointment of a Palestinian government of
independent personalities and the declaration by President Abbas that this
new government was committed to the principle of the two-state solution
based on the 1967 borders, to the recognition of Israel's legitimate right
to exist, to upholding non-violence and to the respect of previous
agreements. The EU's engagement with the new Palestinian government is based
on its continued adherence, in words and actions, to these policies and
commitments. The EU underlines the need for the Palestinian government to
take charge of the Gaza Strip and end the internal division. The EU calls on
the new Palestinian government to work towards genuine and democratic
elections for all Palestinians.

The European Union reiterates its call upon the Palestinian leadership to
use constructively its UN status and not to undertake steps which would lead
further away from a negotiated solution.

9. The EU underlines that the future development of the relations between
the EU and both the Israeli and Palestinian partners will also depend on
their engagement towards a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. The
EU's continued support to Palestinian state-building requires a credible
prospect for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, based on
respect of the rule of law and human rights.

10. The EU will do all it can to support the achievement of a lasting and
just solution to the conflict. In this regard, the EU reiterates its offer
to both parties of a package of European political, economic and security
support and of a Special Privileged Partnership with the EU in the event of
a final peace agreement. The EU is convinced that this support and
partnership, by anchoring both the State of Israel and a future State of
Palestine in an ever closer relationship with Europe, will provide a
strategic framework for their stable, secure and prosperous development."

Ref: CL14-138EN
EU source: Council
UN forum:
Date: 22/7/2014