Situation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 21 and 22 April 1970 (6th, 7th and 8th Sittings) (see Doc. 2742, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 April 1970 (8th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Considering that world peace is gravely threatened by the constantly worsening situation in the Mediterranean and, particularly, the Middle East ;
2. Considering that vital European interests are at stake in that area to which Europe is closely linked by history and its geographical situation ;
3. Considering further that Mediterranean Europe is an essential part of our continent ;
4. Fearing that the increased political and military presence of the Soviet Union in the Mediterranean may make this area the scene of an enlarged armed conflict ;
5. Noting with regret that hitherto the efforts to reach a peaceful solution in the Middle East conflict have produced no concrete results,
6. Is of the opinion that the democratic countries of Western Europe should endeavour :
a to work out a joint or at least more concerted Mediterranean policy and to consult each other regularly for that purpose ;
b to pursue jointly an active policy for peace in the Middle East ;
7. Makes an urgent appeal to the countries involved in the Middle East conflict to restore the cease-fire and thus put an end to dangerous escalation ;
8. Calls upon the belligerent parties, all the other countries concerned and the United Nations to do everything possible to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict, of which the guarantee of stability would be increased by the re-establishment of the global balance of power ;
9. Considers that no final settlement of the conflict will be possible without an agreement between the parties involved, based on the United Nations Security Council resolution adopted in November 1967 ;
10. Regretting that this resolution has not so far succeeded in bringing peace between the parties, considers further that all the parties involved should abandon the use of force to accomplish their objectives and recognise :
a the state of Israel and its right to exist and live in peace within secure and guaranteed frontiers ;
b the need to solve the problem of the Palestinian refugees ;
c the right of people of all religions to have free access to all the Holy Places ;
d the right of all countries to full freedom of passage through the international waters of the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Akaba ;
11. Believes that Western European governments can make a contribution towards the solution of the problem of the Palestinian refugees ;
12. Hopes that the governments of Western Europe will declare their willingness to embark on a plan of economic aid to the countries of the Middle East, should these latter establish regional co-operation among themselves in the economic and social field.
