Statement by H.E. Ambassador Olof SKOOG, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States at the Security Council Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

“The EU reaffirms its commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition, and with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

[..] The EU reiterates the imperative to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza, and recalls its unequivocal position that rocket fire, launching of incendiary devices and other attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups are unacceptable.

[..] The EU urges both parties to demonstrate their stated commitment to a two state solution through concrete actions and to avoid unilateral actions, which threaten it.

[..] The conflict in Syria has endured for more than a decade.  The EU remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian state, and recalls that a sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine, inclusive political transition in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the 2012 Geneva communiqué negotiated by the Syrian parties within the UN-led Geneva process, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.

[..] The EU will continue to support efforts to gather evidence with a view to future legal action, including by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, and the work of the Commission of Inquiry.”

For more information

Full statement