Middle-East peace process

The Council discussed the Middle East Peace Process in the light of a report by EU Special Envoy Mr Moratinos. It welcomed the recent signing of the Protocol on implementation of Israeli redeployment in Hebron as an important step towards full implementation of the Interim Agreement and the start of Final Status negotiations. The Council recalled the letter of assurances from the Council President to President Arafat, stating that the European Union would use all its political and moral weight to ensure full implementation of the Agreements already reached and continue its active role in promoting and strengthening the Peace Process. The Council welcomed the role which the EU Special Envoy Mr Moratinos was able to play, in close coordination with the USA in its crucial role as facilitator, in promoting this outcome. The Council underlined the importance of using the momentum created by the Hebron agreement in order to achieve progress as soon as possible in the Syrian and Lebanese Tracks to the Peace Process and to revitalise the Multilateral Track. The Council also emphasised the urgency of improving the Palestinian social and economic situation.