Okays progress to Phase II
Admin I Thursday, March 20, 2025
LAUSANNE -The European Council has called on the state of Israel and Hamas to return to immediately return to full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement in Gaza.
In a statement, the European Council deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza, which has caused a large number of civilian casualties in recent Israeli air strikes.
It deplored the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages.
The European Council called for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement.
It stresses the need for progress towards its second phase, with a view to its full implementation leading to the release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostilities.
The European Council recalls the importance of unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza.
This access and distribution, as well as the supply of electricity to Gaza, including for the water desalination plants, must be resumed immediately.
The European Council welcomes the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan endorsed at the Cairo Summit on 4 March 2025.
The European Union stands ready to engage with its Arab partners, as well as with other international partners, on that basis.
The European Union said it remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution.
The European Union said it is ready to contribute to all efforts towards this solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability.
It will continue to work with regional and international partners to that end.
The European Union said it will continue supporting the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda.
The European Council strongly condemns the recent widespread violence against civilians in Syria’s coastal region and urges the transitional authorities to ensure the protection of all civilians and that perpetrators of violence are held accountable in accordance with international norms and standards.
The European Council notes that comprehensive transitional justice in particular is essential on the path to reconciliation.
The European Council underlines the importance of a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, free from harmful foreign interference, and the protection of the rights of Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination. Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders should be fully respected, in accordance with international law. It welcomes the agreement reached on 10 March 2025 between the transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The European Council recalls the EU’s recent suspension of restrictive measures as part of a gradual, reversible approach.
The European Union will continue to examine possible further suspensions of restrictive measures on the basis of close monitoring of the situation in Syria.
The European Council welcomes the outcome of the ninth Syria Conference ‘Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition’ of 17 March 2025.
The European Council welcomes the end of the political impasse in Lebanon and expresses the European Union’s readiness to work with the new authorities to stabilise the economic and security situation in the country. The European Council reiterates its call on the parties to implement the terms of the 27 November 2024 ceasefire agreement and for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
