MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

81.The European Council reviewed the state of the Middle East Peace Process in the light of the visit to the region by the President of the European Council from 17 to 21 April and the President of the Council from 15 to 18 March, and the continuing contacts with the parties by the Presidency and the Special Envoy.

82.The European Council recalls its previous Declarations, particularly its Call for Peace in the Middle East issued in Amsterdam on 16/17 June 1997, and reaffirms the guidelines for an EU policy aimed at facilitating progress and restoring confidence between the parties, issued in Luxembourg on 13/12 December 1997.

83.The European Council expresses its very grave concern at the continuing lack of progress in the peace process and the threat that this poses to the stability and security of the region.It underlines the need for all concerned to show courage and vision in the search for peace, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles agreed at Madrid and Oslo, including full implementation of existing commitments under the Israeli/Palestinian Interim Agreements and the Hebron Protocol.

84.The European Council stresses that the current opportunity for progress on the Palestinian track must not be lost.It reiterates the European Union's strong support for the efforts of the United States to gain the agreement of the parties to a package of ideas which, if accepted, would open the way to implementation of existing agreements and the re-launch of final status talks.In that context, the European Council calls on Israel to recognise the right of the Palestinians to exercise Self-determination, without excluding the option of a State.At the same time, it calls upon the Palestinian people to reaffirm their commitment to the legitimate right of Israel to live within safe, recognised borders.

85.The European Council expresses its grave concern also at the lack of progress on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks and underlined the need for a continuing effort to reinvigorate them in order to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the principle of land for peace and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.While welcoming Israeli acceptance of UNSCR 425, the European Council calls for the full and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon.

86.The European Council welcomes the European Union's positive role in the Middle East Peace Process, and the efforts of the EU Special Envoy in this respect.This role has included close involvement in the 4/5 May London talks and negotiations on interim economic issues, the conclusion of the Joint Declaration on EU/Palestinian Security Cooperation and intensified exchanges with the parties and the US.It notes recent positive inputs, including the Franco-Egyptian Call for Peace and the proposals made by the Special Envoy, and invited the General Affairs Council to keep them and other possible options under review in the light of developments.

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