EU Presidency declaration on new violence in Israel & OPT – EU press release/Non-UN document

Brussels, 14 August 2003
12021/03 (Presse 244)
P 99/03

Declaration by the EU Presidency on the new violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories

The European Union expresses the strongest condemnation of the recent suicide attacks by some Palestinian terrorist organisations, by which innocent people lost their life. The EU extends its condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its sympathy to those injured.

The European Union is deeply concerned for the resurgence of violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The suicide attacks contravene the ceasefire declared on 29 June 2003 and undermine the interests of the majority of Palestinians, who support an end to violence.

The European Union reaffirms once again that there is no alternative to a swift and full implementation, in good faith by the two sides, of the road map. The European Union urges all parties to refrain from any action which might lead to the resumption of the cycle of violence. Both sides must remain committed to the path of negotiations, which must not be hindered by radical organisations opposing peace.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and the EFTA countries (Iceland and Liechtenstein), members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.

12021/03 (Presse 244)

For further information: 

EU Council Press Office
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