Brussels, 02/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council published the following statement on 1 August, following the upsurge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians:
"The EU Presidency expresses its deep concern faced with the worsening situation in the Middle East and the upsurge in violence of the past few days that complicates on-going diplomatic efforts in view of rekindling the political process. The Presidency urgently calls on the parties to show utmost restraint and make concrete and immediate gestures to respond to the expectations expressed by the international community and widely reflected in the GAC Conclusions (16 July) and in the declaration of the G8 Summit (21 July). The Presidency reiterates the EU's conviction as to the urgency of full implementation of the recommendations of the Mitchell Committee and the interest for both parties in actively co-operating in the rapid establishment of an impartial monitoring mechanism. The Presidency is dismayed at the murder of eight Palestinians on the West Bank (31 July) and by the announcement of the death of two children near the explosion. The Presidency repeats the EU's rejection of targeted assassinations of Palestinian militants by Israel, which are illegal by international law. This type of unilateral and provocative action an only reactivate the escalation and delay by as much the return to calm. The Presidency urges the Palestinian Authority to intensify with determination its efforts against the violence of extremists and against terrorism. The Presidency can but deplore the fact that civilians should be injured or killed, innocent victims of the current clashes".