Resolution on the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement and relaunching the peace process in the Middle East
C 107/80 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 4. 2000 Wednesday 6 October 1999 19. Middle East peace process B5-0119/1999, 0125, 0130, 0134 and 0136/99 Resolution on the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement and relaunching the peace process in the Middle East The European Parliament, having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East peace process, having regard to the Oslo Accords and the Wye Plantation Agreement signed on 23 October 1998, having regard to the Sharm el-Sheikh memorandum, having regard to the declarations of the European Council meeting in Berlin on 25 March 1999 and of the General Affairs Council of 13 September 1999, having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425, A. whereas on 5 September 1999 the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation signed the Sharm el-Sheikh memorandum which provides for the implementation of the interim accords signed by the two parties and the relaunching of final status negotiations, B. expressing the conviction that the recent Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement will have a fruitful impact on the Middle East peace process, C. whereas this new agreement should be fully implemented according to the detailed timetable provided, while avoiding any unilateral actions and declarations which might prejudice the negotiations on the various issues to be resolved in the final settlement of the conflict indicated in the agreement, D. whereas the European Union fully supports the implementation of this Agreement, E. recalling its firm commitment to the basic principles of democracy as well as respect for the rule of law and human rights, F. whereas the European Union has made an exceptional contribution notably in the form of eco- nomic and financial aid to the peace process, despite the interruptions it has suffered, G. whereas the Middle East peace process is a key factor in guaranteeing peace and security throughout the entire Mediterranean area and a basic element for the full development of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, 1. Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations with the Sharm el-Sheikh memorandum between the parties to the Wye Plantation Agreement which will bring the two sides involved closer to one another and restore confidence in the continuation of the peace process; Believes that this Agreement is a fundamental step towards achieving a definitive peace provided 2. both parties work at establishing a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence; 3. Notes that the agreement incorporates elements of the previous agreements on solving the problems of Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territory on the West Bank, the release of Palestinian prisoners, the establishment of safe corridors between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the beginning of work in the Port of Gaza, Hebron and security undertakings; 4. Welcomes the decision on safe passage for the movement of persons, vehicles and goods to start in October 1999, which is indispensable to the economic viability of Gaza and the West Bank, and hopes that this would also put an end to the obstruction to free trade; 13. 4. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 107/81 Wednesday 6 October 1999 5. Welcomes the fact that the agreement contains precise indications on the opening of final status negotiations and provides that they will be concluded within one year; considers that the commitment to produce a framework agreement based on these negotiations in February 2000 is an exceptional challenge; Regrets that the European Union, one of the main financial contributors to the peace process, still 6. fails to play a meaningful political role in this process; 7. Notes that the difficulties ahead should not be underestimated and asks both peace partners to work with goodwill, trust and determination to reach the cherished goals of peace, stability and security, bearing in mind that, even in times of crisis, the negotiations must continue to be based on sincere, open and direct dialogue; 8. Reaffirms in this connection its conviction that the peace process will result in the recognition by all parties concerned of the existence of the state of Israel and its right to security and will lead to the estab- lishment of an independent Palestinian state; the same right of security should also be granted to the future Palestinian state; Urges both parties to take all the necessary measures to implement immediately the Sharm el-Sheikh 9. memorandum and to refrain from unilateral actions that could endanger the peace process; 10. Recalls that the European Parliament is ready to assist the partners to travel the tortuous and his- torical path of reconciliation, and to build together a common vision of peace and security; believes that the parliamentary structures of the Euro-Mediterranean Forum should be brought into operation so as to enable all the parliaments to contribute to stability in the region; 11. Considers that the various institutions of the Union also have a contribution to make to the peace process by promoting the dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian societies and institutions; takes the view that the ‘people-to-people’ initiatives should assume particular importance and be duly supported; instructs its relevant interparliamentary delegations to promote initiatives aimed at local Israeli and Palestinian municipalities and administrations; 12. Insists that the Commission improve the evaluation and coordination of its support programmes with the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and establish a management information system to ensure its promises are translated into sustainable and visible results on the ground; Considers that negotiations must resume on the Syrian and Lebanese aspects of the peace process 13. on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions; Considers that the Union must continue its involvement in political and economic cooperation in 14. the region, in accordance with the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference held in Stuttgart from 4 to 6 April 1999; 15. Considers that one of the keys to securing peace is to speed up the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue by seizing the opportunities opened up by the changes which have recently occurred in a number of coun- tries in the region; Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Israeli Govern- 16. ment, the Knesset, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council