Annex 2
DECLARATION ON THE MIDDLE EAST
Given the extreme gravity of the situation,
and over and above the individual responsibilities which have
just been recalled by the Security Council in its resolution No
1322 of 7 October, the European Union considers that it is a matter
of absolute priority for the parties, in the hours ahead, to take
in parallel the necessary de-escalation measures and to avoid
any fresh provocation.
The European Union is convinced that two peoples
who must coexist have no other option than immediately to resume
the negotiation path to peace, to which Israelis and Palestinians
have both, in recent weeks, overcome so many obstacles hitherto
considered insurmountable.
The European Union calls upon the Israeli Prime
Minister to address the Palestinian people and on the President
of the Palestinian Authority to address the Israeli people and
to unite their efforts: in this critical period no effort must
be spared to prevent fear, hatred and violence from gaining the
upper hand, so that the dialogue for peace may resume as soon
as possible.
The Council has asked Mr Javier SOLANA, Secretary-General,
High Representative for the CFSP, to travel to the region as a
matter of urgency.
| 
