A4-0351/96

Resolution on the Middle East peace process

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the its recommendation to the Council of 15 December 1995 on the election of the Council and President of the Palestinian Authority and the role of the European Union ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 457.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 24 May 1996 on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on future European Union economic assistance to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip ((OJ C 166, 10.6.1996, p. 253.)),

- having regard to its opinions of 14 December 1995 on the proposal for a Council Regulation on financial and technical measures to support the reform of economic and social structures in Mediterranean non-member countries and territories ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 184.)) and 20 June 1996 on the proposal for a Council Regulation on financial and technical measures to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (MEDA) ((OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 186.)),

- having regard to the Council's declaration of 1 October 1996,

- having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338,

- having regard to UN Security Council resolution 425 on the territorial integrity of Lebanon,

- having regard to UN Security Council resolution 1073 on the situation in the Middle East and the opening of the archeological tunnel in East Jerusalem,

- having regard to Rule 148 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy (A4-0351/96),

A. having regard to the importance, for peace in the Mediterranean and the security of the international community, of an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, more generally, the quest for a stable framework and cooperation between all the countries in the Middle East,

B. having regard to the first positive results which were achieved in application of the Oslo agreements, thanks primarily to the commitment of the representatives of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and the courage shown by men such as Rabin and Arafat,

C. having regard to the multilateral aspects of the peace process, which require, for their full application, both the continuing involvement of the other Arab countries and the involvement of the United States and Russia, as co-signatories of the Oslo agreements,

D. deeply concerned at the lack of progress made in the last few months as regards the application of the Oslo agreements,

E. having regard to the new Israeli Government's premature and questionable attitude in not recognizing and applying the commitments made by the previous government, in particular its failure to withdraw the Israeli army from Hebron and other territories, whilst launching a new phase of settlements and deciding to open access to the existing tunnel near the mosque area in East Jerusalem,

F. convinced that the recent decisions concerning new settlements in the occupied territories are not consistent with the contents of the agreements negotiated, are delaying the start of the third phase of negotiations which include the status of Jerusalem, and seriously compromise Israeli- Palestinian relations which have already caused and may continue to cause outbreaks of violence, with the risk of large-scale deterioration of the situation,

G. whereas the Israeli Government's decision to open the tunnel under the mosque area was provocative and had serious implications; whereas the clashes with the Palestinian population which followed were the most serious since the Intifada and have taken on the characteristics of a 'popular struggle',

H. reaffirming its condemnation of all terrorist acts which only promote the interests of the extremist fringes on both sides who are trying to thwart the peace process,

I. stressing its conviction that the economic backwardness and poverty of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are one of the factors which contribute most to the development of fundamentalist movements which ultimately lead to terrorism,

J. whereas there are no valid alternatives to the current peace process, centred on the principle of 'land in exchange for peace'; whereas in the absence of significant progress, it is to be feared that there will be a return to a climate of terror and war which would benefit neither the populations directly concerned nor the international community as a whole,

K. whereas the European Union and its institutions must continue to use all political, economic and financial means to support the bilateral and multilateral initiatives aimed at pursuing the objective of peace,

L. whereas no form of peace will be possible without adequate economic development; whereas, precisely because of the scarcity of natural resources in the area, it is difficult to imagine any political solutions which do not also help to reduce the profound differences in the standard of living of the populations concerned,

M. recognizing the important role played by the European Union and its Member States as regards the economic assistance needed for the development and improvement of the living conditions of the Palestinian population and the holding of the first elections in Palestinian territory, but convinced that the Union must accompany such action with a more practical political initiative, inter alia to strengthen the emerging democracy and ensure respect for human rights,

N. highly concerned by the recent negative developments in the situation with regard to respect for human rights and the establishment of democracy in the territories of the Palestinian Authority in the wake of the elections,

O. pointing out that in the Barcelona Declaration issued at the end of the Mediterranean Conference (27/28 November 1995), which was also signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Union and its partners undertook to enter into a global partnership with one another, which implies strengthening political and economic relations by means of economic assistance, but also and above all the conclusion of Euro-Mediterranean partnership agreements,

P. stressing the importance it attaches to the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the Barcelona Declaration on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation which is based on a common commitment to the peace process,

1. Deplores the delays in the application of the peace agreements, which are contributing to the causes of both economic and political tension throughout the region and jeopardizing the authority of the leaders who have hitherto supported the peace process, thereby creating a dangerous opening for countries and leaders who advocate military confrontation;

2. Welcomes the renewed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and hopes that they will lead to a speedy implementation of the Oslo agreements;

3. Stresses the need to find a just and lasting solution, acceptable to all parties, to the many unsolved problems on which the final outcome of the peace negotiations depend, such as the settlements, the status of displaced persons and refugees, the economic development of the territories, the management of water resources and the establishment of frontiers, with a view to fulfilling the Palestinians' aspiration to have a country of their own;

4. Hopes that, irrespective of the statements made during the election campaign, the new Israeli leaders will adopt a pragmatic approach and understand that dialogue with the Palestinian Authority is the only way to achieve peace in the region and hence promote the security of Israel;

5. Calls on the Israeli Government to reverse its decision to keep the tunnel near the mosque area open, in compliance with UN resolution 242 and the Oslo agreements on Jerusalem, in particular the provisions on holy places;

6. Calls on the Israeli Government to abide by the commitments Israel has made and hence to order the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the city of Hebron, in order to launch a new stage in the negotiations covering all issues which remain unsolved;

7. Criticizes the Israeli Prime Minister's decision to authorize new Jewish settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, which represents an unacceptable blow to peace in the Middle East; appeals to him to reconsider this decision which breaches the spirit and letter of the Oslo agreements and is at odds with any genuine quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace;

8. Considers the recent moves by President Weizmann to maintain constructive dialogue with the Palestinian authorities and people to be important and positive;

9. Launches an urgent appeal to the Palestinian Authority to make every effort to guarantee the safety of the citizens of Hebron and other settlements and to instruct Palestinian military units and police to use weapons only for the tasks assigned to them and not against the Israeli security forces;

10. Considers that any closure by the Israeli authorities of the 'offices' of the Palestinian Authority in East Jerusalem (including Orient House) would be a provocation and would jeopardize the negotiations on the future of Jerusalem;

11. Calls for full respect for the status of the holy places in Jerusalem and urges all parties to refrain from provocative actions;

12. Reaffirms the principles set out in UN Security Council Resolution 242, in particular the unacceptability of acquiring Palestinian territories by force; therefore, in accordance with the Council's declaration of 1 October 1996, affirms that East Jerusalem is not under Israeli sovereignty and that the fourth Geneva Convention is fully applicable to East Jerusalem, as to other occupied territories;

13. Calls for the immediate opening-up of the Palestinian territories, the closing-off of which is contrary to the Oslo agreements and is aggravating the economic situation of the Palestinian people, thereby creating further causes of tension which will ultimately weaken the authority of President Arafat, who was democratically elected and is the only credible and reliable negotiating partner for Israel and the international community, with further risks of instability (radicalization of the conflict, resumption of the Intifada, terrorist activities);

14. Requests that the Israeli authorities should respect the undertaking, set out in the agreements, to ensure that there is a corridor for the free movement of Palestinians between the West Bank and the Gaza strip and that steps are taken to promote the creation of essential infrastructure for the Palestinian economy, such as a port and an airport;

15. Believes, in this respect, that determined efforts should be made in order to support, consolidate and strengthen Palestinian civil society, whose growth is of the utmost importance for the success of the peace process, on the basis of the principles of democracy, social justice and sustainable development;

16. Calls on the Palestinian Authority to make every effort to improve its standards as regards respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to exploit the role and functions of the elected legislative Council and continue to develop in its territories a truly democratic society which guarantees respect for individual rights and freedom of association;

17. Hopes that there will be no further delays in the activities of the special commissions set up by the Oslo agreements and points out that the agreements are not renegotiable and that these commissions are responsible for applying them;

18. Points out that the Palestinian population will no longer heed the mere issuing of statements and that therefore, in order to prevent new outbreaks of violence, swift measures are needed on the part of Israel to implement the commitments it has entered into, as well as rapid progress in the achievement of results in the negotiations on the questions which remain unanswered;

19. Considers that negotiations with Syria should be resumed, in view of its role in the region, and therefore hopes that agreement may be reached with both Syria and Lebanon, along the same lines as the agreement reached between Israel and Jordan;

20. Requests that the territorial integrity of Lebanon and the security of Israel should be respected and that in this context the UN Security Council's resolution 425 should be applied, which means the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanese territory;

21. Calls on Iran to use whatever influence it has over fundamentalist groups in Gaza and the West Bank to assist the peace process, not obstruct it;

22. Regrets the fact that because of the intergovernmental nature of its foreign policy, the Union has not yet succeeded in playing a credible role in the Middle East, and stresses that every action by the Union should be carried out in coordination with the United States;

23. Welcomes the Council's decision to instruct the Commission to start the negotiations for the conclusion of a trade and cooperation agreement with the Palestinian authority that could be replaced by an association agreement as soon as the Palestinian Authority gets the necessary permanent legal status; welcomes the Council's decision to appoint a special envoy who will be able to carry out his tasks supported by the trust of all the parties concerned;

24. Hopes for swift and effective use of the funds envisaged under the MEDA programme and the other budget lines assigned to the Palestinian population, with special regard to the MEDA-Democracy line;

25. Calls on the Council to adopt, on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union, a joint action enabling the European Union to intensify contacts with the Government of Israel and the other countries in the region and hence to exert a direct influence on the progress of the peace process in the region, since peace in this area is a priority for Europe;

26. Considers that, in this context, the European Union should define and clarify its relations with all the countries in the region, in the light of the role they play vis-à-vis the peace process, and that Parliament should be regularly informed of the EU's policy in this region pursuant to Article J.7 of the EU Treaty;

27. Calls on the EU to remind all the countries in the region, including the Palestinian Authority, of the importance it attaches to their positive commitment with regard to the peace process;

28. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Israeli Government and Parliament, and the President and Council of the Palestinian Authority.