16.4.2015 Official Journal of the European Union L 99/29 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/599 of 15 April 2015 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1)  The resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a strategic priority for the Union and the Union must remain actively engaged until it is solved on the basis of the two-State solution. (2) A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) should be appointed for a period of 12 months. (3)  The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 European Union Special Representative Mr Fernando GENTILINI is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) until 30 April 2016. The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be terminated earlier, on the basis of an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Represen- tative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR). Article 2 Policy objectives 1. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the Union’s policy objectives regarding the MEPP. 2. The overall objective is a comprehensive peace that should be achieved on the basis of a two-State solution, with Israel and a democratic, contiguous, viable, peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side within secure and recognised borders enjoying normal relations with their neighbours in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid principles, including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties, and the Arab Peace Initiative. In light of the different strands of the Isracli-Arab relations, the regional dimension constitutes an essential element for a comprehensive peace. 3. In achieving this objective, policy priorities are the preservation of the two-State solution and relaunching and supporting the peace process. Clear parameters defining the basis for negotiations are key elements for a successful outcome and the Union has set out its position with regard to such parameters in the Council conclusions of December 2009, December 2010 and July 2014, which it will continue to actively promote. 4. The Union is committed to working with the parties and with partners in the international community, including through participating in the Middle East Quartet (‘the Quartet’) and actively pursuing appropriate international initiatives to create a new dynamic for the negotiations.