President Yasser Arafat
Palestinian Authority
Your Excellency,
The European Union
welcomes the Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum on implementation timeline of
outstanding commitments of agreements signed and the resumption of permanent
status negotiations, and congratulates the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli
Government for its conclusion, which represents a new relevant step forward for
a final, lasting and comprehensive peace. Once again, you, Mr. President, have
proved your remarkable political vision and huge capacity to understand the
historic challenges and to advance through political means to reach the
legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Concerning this
Memorandum, the European Union would like to convey to you its understanding
about certain relevant items:
The European Union hereby
expresses its conviction that the outstanding commitments emanating from the
Memorandum will proceed as agreed upon and scheduled, regardless of developments
in negotiations related to permanent status issues.
The European Union also
recalls the European Council Declaration of Berlin, of 24th March, in
which it reaffirmed the continuing and unqualified Palestinian right to
self-determination, including the option of a state, and appealed to the parties
to strive in good faith for a negotiated solution on the basis of the existing
agreements. The Union believes that
it should be possible to conclude the final status negotiations within the
target period of one year.
The European Union
reiterates its call on both parties to refrain from activities which prejudge
the outcome of the final status negotiations and from any activity contrary to
international law, including all settlement activity, and to fight incitement
and violence.
The European Union
reassures you about its full political commitment to facilitate the
implementation of Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum along the lines expressed in this
letter. Let me reaffirm once again the total support of the Union to the Peace
Process.
Sincerely yours,
Taria Halonen
Minister for Foreign Affairs