London meeting on supporting the PA – SecCo Presidential statement

Statement by the President of the Security Council

At the 5136th meeting of the Security Council, held on 9 March 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 conclusions of the London Meeting on supporting the Palestinian Authority on 1 March.  The Council supports the objectives of the London Meeting to help the Palestinian leadership strengthen the institutions needed for a viable and independent PalestinianState.

“The Security Council hopes that the London Meeting will be part of the longer-term process of international support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority and a contribution to helping both sides implement the Road Map endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 1515 (2003) and agreed to by the parties as the path towards a lasting comprehensive negotiated settlement to the Middle East conflict, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002).

“The Security Council stresses the crucial importance of security, good governance and development of the Palestinian economy.  In this context, the Council welcomes President Abbas’s comprehensive plan presented at the London Meeting for strengthening the Palestinian Authority’s institutions in these three areas.

“The Security Council stresses the key role of the international community in assisting the Palestinian Authority in taking forward this plan.  The Council welcomes the international community’s commitments to respond to the plans of the Palestinian Authority by providing financial and political support.  The Council recognizes the important role of the “Quartet” in international efforts aimed at providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority in the fields of security, economic development and governance.

“The Security Council supports the proposals for follow-up to the London Meeting and looks forward to their early implementation.

“The Security Council supports the Joint Statement of the Quartet issued following the meeting of the Quartet in the margins of the London Meeting, and looks forward to the Quartet’s active engagement over the forthcoming period, while recognizing also the important role of other interested parties.

“The Security Council reiterates its call for full respect by the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority of understandings reached at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit on 8 February, 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 reiterates its call on both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to ensure continued progress in the peace process towards full implementation of the Road Map in direct contact with the Quartet.  It stresses the need for concerted and sustained action by the Palestinian Authority to fulfil its security-related commitments and welcomes in this context President Abbas’s commitment to exert every effort towards that end.  The Council stresses also the need for Israel to implement its Road Map commitments.

“The Security Council reiterates its demand for immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction.

“The Security Council reiterates its commitment to the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.”

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