Brussels, November 11, 2002
We, the leaders of the European Union and the Russian Federation express our grave concern about the current serious situation in the Middle East. We urge both parties to show maximum restraint and to do their utmost to bring an immediate end to violence. More than ever, a clear political perspective is needed in order to ease tensions. The Middle East Quartet, at its meeting on 17 September 2002 in New York, has committed itself to work on a concrete, three-phased road map towards a final Israeli-Palestinian settlement within three years, based on the vision of two States, Israel and independent, viable and democratic Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
It is our hope that such a road map can be adopted at the Ministerial meeting of the Quartet in December of this year.
We continue to encourage all parties to live up to their responsibilities to seek a just and comprehensive settlement to the conflict, based on UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338, and 1397, the Madrid terms of reference, the principle of land for peace, and implementation of all existing agreements and understandings between the parties. We reaffirm the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed at the Arab League Beirut Summit, which is a vital part of the foundation of international efforts to promote a comprehensive peace on all tracks, including the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks.
We call on the Palestinian Authority to work with the members of the Quartet and regional partners to promote all necessary reforms, including within its security services. Attention should be given to strengthened policing and law and order for the civilian population, and to fighting against the terror that has severely undermined the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians. Israelis and Palestinians should re-establish security co-operation, and reciprocal steps should be taken by Israel as the Palestinians work to combat terrorism in all its forms. This would pave the way for Israeli withdrawal to pre 28 September 2000 positions as the security situation improves, and for the holding of free and democratic Palestinian national elections early in 2003.
Both the reform effort and the political process must include measures by Israel, consistent with its legitimate security concerns, to improve the lives of Palestinians. These should include allowing resumption of normal economic activity, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and essential services, and the lifting of curfews and closures. We call on Israel to re-establish regular monthly revenue transfers to the Palestinian Ministry of Finance. Consistent with the recommendations of the Mitchell Commission, Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Territories must stop.
We also reaffirm our support to the convening of a ministerial-level meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) before the end of the year to review the grave humanitarian situation in the occupied territories, and to identify priority areas for much needed donor assistance, including to the Palestinian reform process.