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The Madrid
Declaration
June 27, 1989
1989 Summit of the EU regarding the Middle East
The European Council has examined the situation in the Middle East
conflict in the light of recent events and contacts undertaken over
several months by the Presidency and the Troika with the parties
concerned, and it has drawn the following conclusions:
1. The policy of the Twelve on the Middle East conflict is defined in
the Venice Declaration of 13 June 1980 and other subsequent
declarations. It consists in upholding the right to security of all
states in the region, including Israel, that is to say, to live within
secure, recognized and guaranteed frontiers, and in upholding justice
for all the peoples of the region, which includes recognition of the
legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to
self-determination with all that this implies.
The Twelve consider that these objectives should be achieved by peaceful
means in the framework of an international peace conference under the
auspices of the United Nations, as the appropriate forum for the direct
negotiations between the parties concerned, with a view to a
comprehensive, just and lasting settlement.
The European Council is also of the view that the PLO should participate
in this process. It expresses its support for every effort by the
permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations to bring
the parties closer together, create a climate of confidence between
them, and facilitate in this way the convening of the international
conference.
2. The community and its Member States have demonstrated their readiness
to participate actively in the search for a negotiated solution to the
conflict and to cooperate fully in the social and economic development
of the peoples of the region.
The European Council expresses its satisfaction regarding the policy of
contacts with all parties undertaken by the
Presidency and the Troika, and has decided to purse it.
3. The European Council welcomes the support given by the Extraordinary
Summit Meeting of the Arab League, held in Casablanca, to the decisions
of the Palestinian National Council in Algiers, involving acceptance of
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which resulted in the
recognition of Israel's right to exist, as well as the renunciation of
terrorism.
It also welcomes the efforts undertaken by the United States in their
contracts with the parties directly concerned and particularly the
dialogue entered into with the PLO
Advantage should be taken of these favorable circumstances to engender a
spirit of tolerance and peace with a view to entering resolutely on the
path of negotiations.
4. The European Council deplores the continuing deterioration of the
situation in the Occupied Territories and the constant increase in the
number of dead and wounded, and the suffering of the population.
It appeals urgently to the Israeli authorities to put an end to
repressive measures, to implement Resolutions 605, 607, and 608 of the
Security Council and to respect the provisions of the Geneva Convention
on the Protection of Civilian Populations in Times of War.
They appeal in particular for the reopening educational facilities in
the West Bank.
5. On the basis of the positions of principle of the Twelve, the
European Council welcomes the proposal for elections in the Occupied
Territories as a contribution to the peace process, provided that:
The elections are set in the context of a process towards a
comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the conflict.
The elections take place in the Occupied Territories, including East
Jerusalem, under adequate guarantees of freedom. No solution is excluded
and the final negotiation takes place on the basis of Resolutions 242
and 338 of the Security Council of the United Nations, based on the
principle of "land for peace".
6. The European Council launches a solemn appeal to the parties
concerned to seize the opportunity to achieve peace. Respect by each of
the parties for the legitimate rights of the other should facilitate the
normalizing of relations between all the countries of the region.
The European Council calls upon the Arab countries to establish normal
relations of peace and cooperation with Israel and asks that country in
turn to recognize the right of the Palestinian people to exercise
self-determination.
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