Mideast situation – EC declaration (Copenhagen) – Letter from Denmark

Letter dated 15 July 1987 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Denmark

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith the text of the declaration concerning the Middle East adopted on 13 July 1987 at Copenhagen by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the twelve States members of the European Community at which Denmark is currently the President (see annex).

I would appreciate the circulation of the text of this letter and its annex as a document of the General Assembly, under items 39 and 48 of the preliminary list, and at the Security Council.

(Signed)  J. Munk RASMUSSEN

Counsellor

Chargé d'affaires a.i.

Permanent Mission of Denmark

to the United Nations

_______________

* A/42/50.

ANNEX

Declaration concerning the Middle East adopted by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs

of the twelve States members of the European Community at Copenhagen on 13 July 1987

1. The Arab-Israeli conflict

The Twelve noted the positive welcome given t.o their declaration of 23 February in favour of an international peace conference on the Middle East (see A/41/151-S/18718). As a suitable framework for the necessary negotiations between the parties directly concerned, such a conference seemed to them at present the only formula which would allow the peace process in the region to move forward.  They expressed the hope that conditions allowing an international peace conference to be held can be established rapidly upon the basis of an agreement between the parties to it.

For their part, the Twelve have followed developments in the area closely and have decided to pursue, both via the presidency and bilaterally, their contacts at all levels with all the interested parties in order to contribute to the search for a just, global and and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the Palestinian problem, in accordance with the 1980 Venice Declaration.

The Twelve recalled their commitment to respect for human rights in the occupied territories. They agreed that the deterioration of the economic and social situation in these territories, as well as in the region as a whole, threatens to complicate the search for peace. For this reason, the Twelve will continue to contribute to economic and social development, although this cannot be a substitute for a political solution.

2. The Iraq-Iran war and the situation in the Gulf

The Twelve remain deeply concerned by the conflict between Iraq and Iran.  They note the Venice Summit declarat ion on the war and freedom of navigation in the Gulf (see A/41/997-S/18912).

They recall their previous declarations on the conflict in which they expressed their support for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and their frequent appeals to the parties to respect Security Council resolutions 582 (1986) and 588 (1986).  They once more wish to emphasize the necessity to end this cruel war and they welcome new international efforts, in particular in the Security Council, to ensure that both parties will respect a cease-fire and put an end to the war on the basis of a comprehensive, just and honourable settlement.

The Twelve re-emphasize their previous positions, notably concerning respect for the laws governing armed conflict, in particular attacks on towns and the use of chemical weapons, on the risk of the conflict spreading to neighbouring States, on the threat to the freedom of navigation in the Gulf and on the threat to regional and international peace and security.

3. Lebanon

The Twelve expressed their profound concern about the continuation of violence in Lebanon, recently highlighted once again by the assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister, by further hostage-taking and by the escalation of killings in south Lebanon.

The expressed once again the hope that all interested parties would show moderation in order to allow the political dialogue to recommence with a view to national reconciliation based on respect for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

The Twelve reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and urged that it be allowed to fulfil its mandate, in the best possible security conditions for its members.

Finally, the Twelve expressed their condemnation of the continuing detention of hostages and victims of kidnapping in Lebanon.

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