Temporary permits for Palestinians in EU Member States – European Council meeting – European Council press release/Non-UN document (extracts)

PROVISIONAL VERSION

PRESS RELEASE

2581st Council Meeting

General Affairs and External Relations

– GENERAL AFFAIRS –

Brussel, 17 May 2004

President:  Brian COWEN, TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

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Temporary reception of Member States of certain Palestinians

The Council decided to extend the validity of national permits for certain Palestinians temporarily received by EU Member States for a period of six months (9199/04).  The measure concerns a group of Palestinians in respect of whom a Memorandum of Understanding had been reached between the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel as of 5 May 2002 concerning the peaceful evacuation of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and who had agreed to be transferred temporarily to EU Member States.

On 21 May 2002 the Council adopted Common Position 2002/400/CFSP concerning the temporary reception by Member States of some Palestinians and granting them national permits valid for up to 12 months.  The Common Position was amended on 19 May 2003, modifying the validity of the permits to up to 24 months.

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