G8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Potsdam, 30 May 2007) – Chairman’s statement/Peace process – Non-UN document

G8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Potsdam, 30 May 2007

Chairman's Statement

G8 Foreign Ministers met in Potsdam on 30 May to discuss a range of global and regional issues. The meeting focussed on Kosovo, the situation in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Sudan and Iran as well as North Korea. We met with Foreign Minister Kasuri of Pakistan and Foreign Minister Spanta of Afghanistan to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, cooperation between their countries and how the G8 can support such cooperation. On this subject, we issued a joint statement with our colleagues from Afghanistan and Pakistan. We also exchanged views on Iraq, Nagorno-Karabakh, the situation in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Somalia. We issued a joint declaration on the promotion of the Rule of Law.

/…

Iran

/…

Foreign Ministers call on Iran to play a more responsible and constructive role in the Middle East region and in particular to accept a solution based on two states, Palestine and Israel, existing side by side in peace and security. …

/…

Middle East Peace Process

Foreign Ministers reiterated the G8’s commitment for a negotiated, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in the Middle East. We expressed the hope that the talks between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas will address elements of the political horizon and lay the foundation for negotiations for the establishment of a Palestinian state, consistent with the Roadmap and based on the UNSCR 242, 338, 1397, and 1515. The Quartet which meets today in Berlin will continue to play a central role. We call on the Government of the Palestinian Authority to commit fully to the principle of non-violence, recognize the right of Israel to exist and accept previous Israeli/Palestinian agreements consistent with the Quartet statements of February 9 and 21, and March 21 2007. In this connection, we reiterate our call on the Government of the Palestinian Authority to bring terrorist violence to an end and to take immediate measures to release the abducted Israeli soldier. We urge the Palestinian leadership to do everything it can to put an end to the firing of rockets into Israeli territory.

We call on Israel to show restraint in responding to these attacks and refrain from all activities which are not in accordance with international law. We remain deeply concerned with the continuation of the settlement activities and the ongoing construction of the barrier on Palestinian lands. We continue to call on Israel for the immediate resumption of the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and custom revenues, directly or through the Temporary International Mechanism. We also reiterate our call for the release of elected members of the Palestinian government and legislature by Israel .

We welcome the Arab Peace Initiative as reaffirmed in the declaration of the Arab League Summit of March 29 and the continuing efforts to promote it as a contribution to the peace process. We also welcome the positive reactions by the Israeli government and the first meeting of the Israeli, Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers in Cairo on this subject.

Concern was expressed about the security situation in the Gaza strip as well as the severe humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories. We call upon all Palestinian leaders to end internal violence and to resume their dialogue. We encourage Egypt and Saudi Arabia to continue their efforts to reconcile the Palestinian factions. We reiterated our firm commitment to continue providing assistance to the Palestinian people and to strengthen Palestinian institutions. We agreed that movement and access are essential and, in this regard, call on both parties to fully implement the Movement and Access Agreement of 15 November 2005.

/…