Mr President,

The Candidate Countries Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

The Middle East peace process remains a key priority for the European Union. Our policies on this issue remain clear and consistent and we believe it is of utmost importance to uphold international consensus on the key principles for a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, international law and agreements already reached.

The EU’s positions have not changed: We see no viable alternative to a negotiated two-state solution – based on parameters set out in the Council Conclusions of July 2014 – that fulfils the legitimate aspirations of both parties, including Israeli and Palestinian security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty, that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and that resolves all permanent status issues.

This Council’s Resolution 2334 (2016) – while reaffirming all its relevant previous resolutions since 1967 – reiterated the key threats to the viability of the two-state solution, notably continued Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. It also clearly condemned acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction.

The latest developments in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and in the West Bank pose a real risk of further escalation. Three Palestinians were killed during violent clashes with Israeli security forces last Friday. These incidents must be fully investigated. In a terror attack in the West Bank in the night from Friday to Saturday, three Israelis were murdered at their Shabbat dinner table by a young Palestinian. Nothing can justify such a despicable crime.

Since then further attacks happened in Israel and Jordan and two Jordanians lost their lives. The EU strongly condemns acts of terror, expresses its regret for all loss of innocent life caused by the violence, and hopes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.

We appreciated the condemnation by President Abbas of the attack against Israeli police officers in the Old City of Jerusalem – a city sacred to three religions – and the assurances by Prime Minister Netanyahu that the status quo at the Haram al-Sharif / Temple Mount will be preserved.

It is now vital that all political, religious and community leaders act responsibly, restore calm and avoid any steps or rhetoric that could further increase tensions. It is vital to keep the channels of communication open. Continued cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is crucially important to prevent further violence and loss of life.

We encourage Israel and Jordan to work together to find solutions that ensure security for all, respect the sanctity of the holy site and uphold the status quo, noting the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom as recognised in its peace treaty with Israel.

Mr President,

The EU also strongly opposes recent Israeli decisions to proceed with plans for thousands of settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and stresses this Council’s reiterated demand that Israel immediately and completely ceases all settlement activities. Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory constitute a flagrant violation under international law, constitute a major obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible. The EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties. As for Jerusalem, the EU will continue to respect the international consensus embodied in UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980).

Mr. President,

The EU follows with great concern the worsening situation in Gaza, with devastating consequences for civilians – particularly women and children. The EU calls on all Palestinian factions and Israel to address the needs of the Palestinian population which must not be held hostage to political divisions. We commend the efforts by the UN and Egypt to mediate and to provide and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and fuel to the Gaza Strip. The EU will continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to Gaza, and will work closely together with its partners, including in the Quartet, towards resolving the current crisis and advancing sustainable solutions to Gaza’s problems.

A single, legitimate and democratic Palestinian authority, with full control over Gaza, is critical for achieving a viable Palestinian state. We urge all Palestinian factions to engage in good faith in the reconciliation process.

All parties must take swift steps to produce a fundamental change to the political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009), including the end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.

Mr. President,

The EU stands ready to support all serious peace-making efforts and will continue to work closely with both parties, with its partners in the Quartet and with key stakeholders in the region and beyond. In this context, we welcome on-going US efforts and efforts by the Quartet, including the holding of a meeting of Envoys on 13 July. The EU calls on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to demonstrate through policies and actions their genuine and continued commitment to the two-state solution. We recall the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative which provides key elements for a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as an opportunity for building a regional security framework.

The EU believes that further dialogue on this basis will provide new impetus for peace and security throughout the wider region. This opportunity must be seized.

Mr President,

Let me turn to Lebanon, where another important achievement was made with the endorsement of a new electoral law by the Parliament on 16 June, on the basis of which parliamentary elections will take place by May 2018. Conducting peaceful, fair and transparent parliamentary elections will be key to ensure the functioning of Lebanese democratic institutions. The EU looks forward to working with all stakeholders on preparations towards that end by May 2018.

In last week’s Association Council between the EU and Lebanon, the EU recognized Lebanon’s extraordinary and exceptional effort in hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees and we committed to maintaining the level of our support in 2018 and 2019. The EU and Lebanon agreed that the only sustainable long term solution for refugees and displaced from Syria into Lebanon is their safe return to their country of origin in accordance with all norms of international humanitarian law and taking into account the interests of the host countries, as conditions for such a return are met.

Return of refugees to their country of origin should only occur when the conditions allow and on a voluntary, dignified and safe basis, in accordance with applicable norms of international law and the principle of nonrefoulement. The EU also supports the resumption of registration of Syrian refugees with UNHCR to ensure refugees’ access to livelihoods and right to protection.

Mr President,

In Syria, we hope that the implementation of de-escalation arrangements towards a nation-wide cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access will help to facilitate the intra-Syrian talks under UN-auspices in Geneva. So far, Damascus has refused to engage substantially in these negotiations.

UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura intends to have the next round of talks in September and we all have the responsibility to give him the support he needs to help the Syrian parties reach agreement on a political transition based on UNSCR 2254.

The EU continues to call for full unhindered humanitarian access and for accountability for all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Impunity is not an option. Therefore, the EU has just allocated EUR 1.5M to the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism, in addition to the EU Member States contributions of EUR 5.717M to have the Mechanism up and running.

Only when a credible transition is firmly under way, will the EU be ready to assist in the reconstruction of Syria. Looking into the future, the EU is actively supporting the UN in its coordination of post-agreement civilian stabilisation planning and will work with the UN, International Financial Institutions and other donors. At the Brussels Conference in April, the representatives of Syrian civil society called for ‘hudna’, ceasefire. The Syrian people can build peace and find their own path towards national reconciliation; but they need this Security Council, the international community and regional players to create the conditions for this to happen. They can always count on the EU to do so, and we will continue to support them with all our means.

Mr President,

In Iraq, the liberation of Mosul was a highly symbolic step in the defeat of Da’esh, although it does not mark the end of military operations; several very sensitive areas remain to be recovered from Da’esh. But even then, the territorial defeat of Da’esh is only one of the challenges. ‘Winning the peace‘ with the population is an equally challenging and urgent task for the Iraqi Government.

Rebuilding the country is the responsibility of the Iraqi government, but it needs the full support of the international community at this crucial moment. We look forward to the Government defining a clear governance plan for the liberated areas, including for the areas of interest to minorities. Upholding the rule of law in these and all other areas in Iraq is of great importance, whereby transitional justice needs careful attention to ensure accountability for serious violations and abuses in accordance with international law, to guarantee the rights of those who suffered under Da’esh rule as well as to safeguard the rights to a fair trial and fair treatment all. All forms of collective punishment need to be avoided. Reconciliation within Iraqi society will require trust-building amongst neighbours and local communities, as well as at national level, and is crucial to address the root causes of conflict including feelings of marginalisation and exclusion.

The EU also calls on the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan regional government to build on their successful security co-operation in the campaign to liberate Mosul and to engage in a constructive dialogue on all issues across the political and economic spectrum, including the disputed internal boundaries. Unilateral steps must be avoided; all open questions between them must be addressed resolved through consensual positions based on the full application of the provisions of the Iraqi constitution.

Iraq is in need of international support to face all these huge challenges. The EU is committed to provide such support and is stepping up its efforts: More than €200 million is programmed for 2017; a CSDP mission will be deployed to Advise and Assist the Security Sector Reform; as well as delivering on humanitarian needs and stabilisation.

In order to be ready for the post-Da’esh phase, the EU is working on a new Iraq strategy as announced in the 19 June FAC conclusions on Iraq which will outline the EU’s support to Iraq for the coming years.

Thank you.

* Albania continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

* The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.