Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The leaders of the European Union countries concluded discussions that continued until late Thursday evening and issued the final statement of the discussions to address developments in the Middle East region, especially in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza. The statement, a copy of which we received last night, stated: "The European Council addressed the situation and the latest developments in the Middle East. It recalled its previous conclusions on the Middle East.

The European Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement concluded on 27 November 2024
between Israel and Lebanon, following the mediation efforts made in particular by France and the United States. It urges the parties to implement the ceasefire as agreed,
and calls for the full and equal implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. In this context, the European Council recalls the essential role played by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in achieving stability in southern Lebanon. The European Union will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Lebanese state and state-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The European Council calls on Lebanese political leaders to take the necessary measures to overcome the political impasse and economic, including the rapid election of the President of the Republic.

. The European Council expresses its deep concern about the consequences of the Israeli legislation adopted on 28 October 2024 on UNRWA’s ability to implement its mandate.

The European Council stresses the essential role of UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population in Gaza and the wider region. The statement said that the continued implementation of the UNRWA Action Plan is essential.

. The European Council reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, improved access to and widespread distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, and a permanent end to hostilities, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735.

The European Council reiterates the European Union’s commitment to international law and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-State solution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders. The European Union stands ready to contribute to all efforts to achieve this solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability. The European Union will continue to support the Palestinian Authority to help it meet its most urgent needs, build institutional capacity and implement its reform agenda. . Following the fall of the criminal Assad regime in Syria, the European Council underlines the historic opportunity to reunify and rebuild the country and stresses the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the basic principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. In this regard, the European Union supports the work of the UN Special Envoy for Syria. Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected within its secure borders, in accordance with international law. The European Council underlines the need to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, non-sectarian governance and the protection of members of religious and ethnic minorities, and the preservation of Syria’s cultural heritage. It calls on all parties to preserve national unity, ensure the protection of all civilians, provide public services and create conditions for an inclusive and peaceful political transition and for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The European Council also stresses the importance of combating terrorism, preventing the resurgence of terrorist groups and destroying remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria. In this context, the European Council invites the Commission and the High Representative to present options to the Council on measures to support Syria.