G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting, Paris, 22-23 May 2003 – Summary of the G8 Presidency (excerpts) – G8 press release/Non-UN document

G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

(Paris, May 22-23, 2003)

Summary of the G8 Presidency

G8 Foreign Ministers met in Paris on 22 and 23 May 2003 to discuss major regional and international security issues.

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Israel and Palestine

The path set out by the Quartet roadmap offers a historic opportunity to solve the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians within the framework of two viable States living side by side within secure and recognised borders and to bring decades of human suffering to an end.

Aware of the efforts that this would require from all sides, Ministers called upon the Parties to confirm their acceptance of the roadmap, to begin implement it fully and in good faith, in order to arrive at the solution of two States, under the terms defined by the Quartet, in 2005.

Ministers welcomed the courageous decisions taken by the Palestinians to reorganise their institutions, which they pledged to support, politically and economically. They expressed the wish that there would be further progress. Following the recent terrorist attacks, they reiterated their total condemnation of terrorism. They called on the Palestinians and the Israelis to bring all violence to an end.

Ministers discussed achieving comprehensive peace including Syria and Lebanon. The time had come for a resumption of talks between these countries. The Parties should take each other's concerns into consideration and initiate in good faith the negotiations leading to a lasting peace. We would fully support this process.