Brussels, 01/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the 26 August ceasefire agreement and calling for it to be respected, the European heads of state and government urged Israelis and Palestinians on Saturday 30 August to continue their negotiations “leading to a fundamental improvement of the living conditions for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip through the lifting of the Gaza closure regime”, and they called for a definitive agreement. In addition, the European heads of state and government stated that they were “deeply concerned” about the “disastrous” humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and they called for “immediate and unimpeded” humanitarian access in accordance with international law.
The European Council also called for an end to be put to the threat posed to Israel by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, and the Council called for Hamas and the other militant groups to lay down their weapons. “This should be supported by international monitoring and verification to ensure full implementation of a comprehensive agreement”, the European Council added.
The European leaders stated that it was “urgent” that the Palestinian consensus government exercise its full responsibilities in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, “including in the field of security and civil administration”. “The Gaza Strip shall be part of a future state of Palestine”, the European leaders also stated. (CG)