Launch of proximity talks between Israel and Palestinians – EU declaration/Non-UN document

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 10 May 2010

9645/10 (Presse 113)

P 20

Declaration by High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the launch of proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians

The European Union welcomes the launch of proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians and emphasizes that the proximity talks should lead as soon as possible to the resumption of direct bilateral negotiations that, within 24 months as specified by the Quartet, resolve all final status issues and lead to the two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

The EU reconfirms its support for the United States' mediation efforts. The European Union will remain actively involved, including in the framework of the Quartet, along the lines agreed in Moscow on March 19 2010. It reiterates that a comprehensive peace in the region that must include also the Syrian and Lebanese tracks must be achieved on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Recalling its December 2009 Council conclusions on the Middle East, the European Union calls on the parties and on all regional and international actors to support this political process, including through confidence building measures, and to refrain from any provocation or unilateral measure that could jeopardize it.