Communiqué Issued following the meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei and the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D. in Dublin on 9 February 2004.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei met the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. at Government Buildings this afternoon. Prime Minister Qurei was accompanied by the Palestinian Minister for Finance, Dr. Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Minister for Negotiation Affairs, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat and Dr. Hassan Abu-Libdeh, Minister of the Cabinet Affairs. The Taoiseach was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D.
They affirmed the strong ties which exist between the Irish and Palestinian people.
The visit to Dublin was the first by Prime Minister Qurei outside the Middle East since the confirmation of his Government on 12 November last.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister discussed a wide range of issues, including the Middle East peace process, the status of the Road map, means of reviving negotiations and the role of the European Union in the peace process.
The Taoiseach expressed support for an early meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers which would advance the peace process
Prime Minister Qurei briefed the Taoiseach on the renewed contacts between the two sides and the preparatory meeting for a Prime Ministerial meeting which had taken place on 4 February. He said that he was willing to meet with Prime Minister Sharon at any mutually convenient time and recalled that a further preparatory meeting was scheduled for 15 February.
Prime Minister Qurei announced that the Palestinian leadership would shortly make an unequivocal statement reaffirming their stated position on Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate end to violence. The Palestinians will also take firm action to end incitement, as specified in the Road map and both Prime Ministers requested the Israeli government to do likewise in accordance with its obligations under the Road map.
Prime Minister Qurei announced that the Palestinian Authority will continue to put police back on the streets and expects the necessary Israeli cooperation, in order to help bring the situation back to that which had existed prior to September 2000. The Prime Minister said that he would welcome an early resumption of security cooperation with the Israelis.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister look forward to an early meeting of the international Quartet at Principals’ level to endorse renewed efforts towards peace. Prime Minister Qurei maintained that reviving the Quartet’s role is key to getting the peace process back on track.
Both the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Qurei condemned terrorism and violence, whether targeting Israelis or Palestinians. They called for an end to violence by both sides and for a mutual end to incitement.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed that a package of small, concrete and visible steps in accordance with the Road map to be taken by both sides, including Palestinian security obligations and Israeli settlement freeze, would serve to restart the process and help to build the necessary mutual confidence.
The Taoiseach outlined the approach of the European Union to the construction of a separation barrier by the Israeli authorities. He said that the position of the EU on this matter was clear and forthright. The construction of this barrier in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was in contradiction to international law. However, the European Union did not support the request of the General Assembly to the International Court of Justice for an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall. We believed such a request to be inappropriate on the grounds that this would not help bring about a negotiated settlement between the parties. The Taoiseach recalled that Ireland, in its national statement to the Court, set out its belief that the construction of the barrier is illegal.
Prime Minister Qurei reiterated the Palestinian position on the need for the Quartet to have the Israeli Government stop the building of the wall because continuing construction would lead to the undermining of the Road map and the two States solution, in addition to the human catastrophe for the Palestinian peoples’ way of life.
Prime Minister Qurei noted that the European Union, in its statement to the Court, did not invite the Court to decline jurisdiction in the matter.
Prime Minister Qurei briefed the Taoiseach on the progress of reforms in the Palestinian administration. He stressed that the Palestinian Authority was firmly committed to implementing reforms fully for the benefit of the people of Palestine.
Prime Minister Qurei told the Taoiseach that it is the intention of the Palestinian Authority to hold elections in the near future. An independent election commission, as provided for in the first phase of the Road map, has been established and has begun work.. The two Prime Ministers noted that international assistance will be necessary for this task.
The Taoiseach recalled the substantial financial, humanitarian and political support which the European Union and its Member States supply to the Palestinian people. He pledged that this support would continue and reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to a viable, democratic Palestinian State living side by side with Israel in peace and security.
They also look forward to the forthcoming Summit Meeting of the Arab League and call on Arab leaders to reaffirm the important initiative taken in Beirut. They noted that this would also be a major step towards the resolution of the conflicts between Israel and its neighbours, Syria and Lebanon.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister recalled that President Yasser Arafat remains the elected President of the Palestinian people and called for the lifting of restrictions on his freedom of movement.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister urged the Israeli Government to take note of the outcome of their meeting and to respond in a meaningful and constructive.
ENDS
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Peace process, Road Map
Publication Date: 09/02/2004