Palestine question/Resumption of direct talks between Israel and PA – SecCo Presidential statement

Statement by the President of the Security Council

At the 5126th meeting of the Security Council, held on 16 February 2005, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question", the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council welcomes the Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 8 February 2005, and the resumption of direct talks between Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Ariel Sharon and President of the Palestinian Authority Mr. Mahmoud Abbas.  The Council expresses its appreciation to President Hosni Mubarak of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the invitation to both parties to the Summit, and to King Abdullah II Bin al Hussein of Jordan for his participation.

“The Security Council underlines the understandings reached by the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, in particular that all Palestinians will stop all acts of violence against all Israelis everywhere and that Israel will cease all its military activities against all Palestinians everywhere.  The Security Council calls for the full respect by the parties of their commitments in this regard.

“The Security Council recognizes these understandings, along with other recent positive developments, as primary steps towards restoring confidence between the two parties and as a significant opportunity to enhance a new spirit of cooperation and to promote an atmosphere conducive to the establishment of peace and coexistence in the region.

“The Security Council commends the role being played by Egypt and Jordan in facilitating a successful resumption of dialogue between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority within the framework of the Road Map.

“The Security Council welcomes the initiative of the United Kingdom Government in convening an international meeting in London on 1 March to support Palestinian efforts to prepare the ground for a viable PalestinianState.  The Security Council also welcomes the upcoming “Quartet” meeting at the ministerial level which will convene in the margins of the London meeting.

“The Council looks forward to further engagement by the Quartet with the two parties to ensure continued progress in the peace process and the full implementation of the Road Map and relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), and 1515 (2003), towards the creation of an independent, viable, democratic and sovereign State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

“The Security Council looks forward to the establishment of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”

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