Resolution on the Middle East peace process and the 4 May 1999 deadline
C 279/420 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 10. 1999 Thursday 6 May 1999 25. Middle East peace process B4-0460, 0479, 0486, 0488, 0495 and 0503/99 Resolution on the Middle East peace process and the 4 May 1999 deadline The European Parliament, − recalling its previous resolutions on the Middle East peace process, − having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, − having regard to the statement by the Berlin European Council of 25 March 1999 on the Middle East peace process, A. whereas under the Oslo Agreement the parties concerned agreed on a transitional period up to 4 May 1999 with a view to reaching a final status agreement, B. pointing out that, once the Israeli general election has taken place, all the negotiations already started between the Israelis and the Palestinians will have to be resumed and the Wye Plantation memorandum will have to be applied without delay, C. whereas both the European Union and the United States of America have called for an early resumption of the final status negotiations with the aim of concluding these within one year, D. whereas the Palestinian authorities decided to accept an extension of the transitional period beyond 4 May 1999, E. noting with satisfaction the reiteration by the Foreign Ministers attending the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Stuttgart of their firm commitment to the basic principles underpinning the peace process, 1. Welcomes the statement issued by the Berlin European Council on the peace process, particularly the Palestinians’ unconditional right to self-determination, including the right to create a state, which the EU is prepared to consider recognising in due course, and the undertakings given by the EU concerning the future settlement of the conflict; 2. Reiterates its conviction that the final outcome of the current process must be the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and recognition of the State of Israel’s existence and its right to security; 3. Welcomes the Palestinian authorities’ decision to accept an extension of the transitional period beyond 4 May 1999; 4. Calls on the parties concerned to resume the final status negotiations with a view to an early conclusion and to refrain from unilateral actions and declarations on issues that form part of such negotiations (borders, water, the settlements, refugees and the final status of the Palestinians and Jerusalem); 5. Calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States and on the EU Special Envoy to make every effort to promote the resumption of these negotiations and calls, further, for the resumption of the negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese aspects of the peace process; 6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the EU Special Envoy, the Government and Parliament of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority and Legislative Council