The conflict between Israel and
Palestinians - Joint policy statement by Norway and Spain
7. June 2006
For more than a decade, the
Governments of Norway and Spain have been involved in efforts to
facilitate the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
It is a foreign policy priority for both countries to contribute to
a viable two-state solution based on a negotiated agreement. We are
now deeply concerned about the current situation in the West Bank
and Gaza. There is a risk of great human suffering and economic
decline, which would further worsen the Palestinians’ living
conditions. In this situation both governments have expressed their
intention to maintain their assistance to the Palestinian
people. Institutional decay would make it difficult for the
Palestinian National Authority and providers of humanitarian
assistance to operate properly. Internal differences in Palestinian
society are on the rise and leading to increasing lawlessness in
the territory. This situation also has implications for the
stability of the whole region and calls for constructive
initiatives.
We welcome President Abbas’
efforts to mobilise Palestinian support for resolving the conflict
peacefully, through direct negotiations with Israel. His efforts to
bring about national consensus for this purpose should gain broad
international support. The Palestinian Government should take steps
immediately towards complying with the demands put forward by the
Quartet to renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and
accept previously concluded agreements. At the same time, we expect
Israel to respect previously concluded agreements, key UN
resolutions and demands from the international community to stop
annexing Palestinian land, cease illegal settlement activities and
stop work on the separation wall.
At this juncture, our two
countries have identified the following common areas for closer
cooperation.
·
- Norway and Spain support President Abbas’ proposal to develop a
national dialogue between Palestinian factions.
- ·
- Norway and Spain will financially support a funding mechanism
administered by the President’s Office to finance Palestinian
missions abroad.
- Norway and Spain will actively support dialogue between the
parties, especially with the objective to achieve a fair and
lasting peace. The two governments recall their past contributions
to the peace process and show their readiness to actively support
the scenario of future negotiations in coordination with the
parties and the members of the Quartet.
- ·
- Norway and Spain both have a significant involvement in the
Palestinian energy sector. We will explore ways and means to
further strengthen our involvement financially and technically and
assist in the efforts to enhance Palestinian participation in
regional energy cooperation.
- ·
- Norway and Spain will financially support a broad based
assessment of water-related environmental problems in the West
Bank. We will together consult with the parties on how this
assessment could be undertaken, its terms of reference and the
possible involvement of UNEP in this work.
- Norway and Spain will seek close cooperation with involved
parties in order to strengthen regional initiatives related to
water issues.
