EU will not recognize changes to 1967 borders
Palestine-European Union, Politics, 4/27/2004

The European Union Foreign Ministers said Monday that they would not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders other than that agreed upon by the parties concerned in the Middle East.

The top diplomats stressed that no public statement on final status issues should influence negotiations by imposing pre-set solutions. In recommendations issued on the sidelines of the Public Affairs and Foreign Relations Council, the Ministers underlined that the issue of the Palestinian refugees and right to return, are part of final status negotiations which, according to the roadmap, require a final and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

They reiterated that the EU commitment to the two-state solution which stipulates the creation of a viable Palestinian state with secure and recognized borders side by side with Israel. The top diplomats voiced conviction that the roadmap remains the only way to achieve this goal. The European ministers welcomed Israel's projected withdrawal from the Gaza Strip provided that it be within the framework of the roadmap.

They added that the pullout should be coordinated with the international community to guarantee security in Gaza and allow for reconstruction.

The top diplomats reaffirmed that the EU readiness to help the Palestinian Authority in shouldering the security responsibility, underlining the need to avoid creating a political vacuum.

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