The Madrid Declaration,

27 June  1989

The European Council has examined the situation in the Middle East conflict in the light of recent events and contacts undertaken over several months by the Presidency and the Troika with the parties concerned, and it has drawn the following conclusions:

1. The policy of the Twelve on the Middle East conflictis defined in the Venice Declaration of 13 June 1980 and othersubsequent declarations. It consists in upholding the right tosecurity of all states in the region, including Israel, that isto say, to live within secure, recognized and guaranteed frontiers,and in upholding justice for all the peoples of the region, whichincludes recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinianpeople, including their right to self-determination with all thatthis implies.

The Twelve consider that these objectives shouldbe achieved by peaceful means in the framework of an internationalpeace conference under the auspices of the United Nations, asthe appropriate forum for the direct negotiations between the parties concerned, with a view to a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement.

The European Council is also of the view that thePLO should participate in this process. It expresses its supportfor every effort by the permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations to bring the parties closer together, createa climate of confidence between them, and facilitate in this way the convening of the international conference.

2. The community and its Member States have demonstratedtheir readiness to participate actively in the search for a negotiatedsolution to the conflict and to cooperate fully in the socialand economic development of the peoples of the region.

The European Council expresses its satisfaction regardingthe policy of contacts with all parties undertaken by the Presidency and the Troika, and has decided to purse it.

3. The European Council welcomes the support givenby the Extraordinary Summit Meeting of the Arab Le