On Monday 15 April, the European Union recalled its commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East, following the publication of a letter from 37 former foreign ministers calling on Brussels to support this solution.
“The EU has always believed that the only way to end the conflict is through a two-state solution negotiated between the parties, on the basis of two states -Israel and Palestine- living side by side in peace and security and in good relations with their neighbours”, reaffirmed an EU spokesman to EUROPE. To do this, “direct negotiations should be resumed”. The spokesman recalled that the EU would continue to work with its Israeli and Palestinian counterparts to make progress towards a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
On Sunday 14 April, in a letter to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 37 former heads of diplomacy of Member States, including former High Representative Javier Solana, urged the EU to support the two-state solution.
The United States may soon present its peace plan, and former ministers are concerned about the “lack of a clear and unequivocal commitment to the two-state vision”.
For example, when questioned on 15 April on a two-state solution, Acting Assistant Secretary on the Middle East David M. Satterfield merely pointed out that his country would support “any solution on which the two parties directly concerned - Israel and the Palestinians - can agree”.
Thus, “despite the uncertainty as to whether and when the plan will be published, it is crucial for Europe to be vigilant and act strategically”, say the former heads of diplomacy.
In their view, the EU should adopt and promote a plan that would respect the fundamental principles of international law reflected in the parameters it defends concerning a two-state solution, the Union should “reject any plan that does not respect this standard” (see EUROPE 12209/19).
And the EU should not wait until the plan is published before acting, but should “formally” reaffirm, as of now, the parameters it defends, the former ministers add. This reaffirmation would establish EU criteria to support US efforts and facilitate a coherent and unified European response once the plan is published. For their part, “European governments should make a greater commitment to intensify their efforts to protect the viability of a future two-state system”, they add.
And while recalling that it is preferable for the EU to work in tandem with the United States, “in situations where our vital interests and fundamental values are at stake, Europe must pursue its own course of action”, they warn. “Europe faces a unique opportunity to strengthen our common principles and long-standing commitments to the Middle East peace process and thus demonstrate Europe's unique role as a reference point for a rules-based world order”, the former ministers add, adding that failure to do so “would have considerable negative consequences”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)