Mideast situation/Lebanon – EU statement – Letter from Italy

LETTER DATED 17 APRIL 1996 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF

ITALY TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

On behalf of the European Union I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a statement by the Presidency of the European Union on the situation in the Middle East (see annex).

I should be grateful if you could have the text of the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed)  F. Paolo FULCI

Ambassador  

96-09836 (E)   180496/…

 Annex

[Original:  English and French]

Statement on the situation in the Middle East, issued by the

Presidency on behalf of the European Union

The European Union expresses grave concern at the recent increase in tension in Galilee and Lebanon which has already led to serious material damage and innocent victims.  The European Union hopes that the recent explosion of violence in the region will not result in a chain reaction which could bring about new crises, and that it will not threaten the peace process, the continuation and reinforcing of which are of the greatest importance to the 15 members.

While reaffirming its commitment to the implementation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978), the European Union calls on all parties to show the greatest moderation and to cease military activities, in the conviction that violence assists only the enemies of peace.  The European Union also calls on all parties to the peace process, each using the influence at its disposal, to contribute to reducing tension in order to create a more relaxed climate, in the interests of all the people in the region.

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