Adopted by the ELDR Party Congress in Ljubljana, 26-28 September 2001

Whereas peace in the Middle East is of outstanding importance not only for the stability of the region, but also for peace, stability and the respect of human rights in general,

Whereas the conflicting parties have entered into a cycle of violence and counter violence, which they are not able to break by themselves,

Whereas international pressure to return to the negotiation table therefore has to be increased towards both conflicting parties,

Whereas many international actors such the United States and the Russian Federation, but also the United Nations and the European Union, have in the past contributed to the efforts for a peaceful solution of the conflict, have thus taken upon themselves a responsibility they cannot discard and therefore should now increase their efforts,

Whereas the experiences of the CSCE/OSCE process, which started under unfavourable auspices and contributed decisively to the overcoming of the European division,

The ELDR Party and Council:

1. expresses its commitment to a peaceful solution of the Middle East conflict on the basis of negotiations between the conflicting parties consistent with decisions already taken by the United Nations,

2. calls upon the government of Israel and the Palestinian authorities to break the accelerating cycle of violence and counter violence,

3. calls upon the Israeli government to stop the settlement activities,

4. calls upon the European Council to take upon itself a more active role in the mediation between the conflicting parties

   which should be closely co-ordinated with the activities of the United States of America and the United Nations, under the responsibility of the High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana,

5. encourages the European Council to initiate a Conference for Security and Co-operation in the Middle East (CSCME) with the aim of a solid peace settlement for the whole region, based on the experiences of the CSCE/OSCE process.