Historical Documents
EU Statement on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court (9 July 2004)
Following the ICJ ruling, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Bot, speaking as President of the Council of the European Union recalled that the EU has demanded that Israel stops and reverses the construction of the Barrier inside the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is in contradiction to the relevant provisions of international law.
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| Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Dutch Foreign Minister, Bernard Bot meet in Dublin. On July 1, the Netherlands took over the EU Presidency. |
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Bot, speaking as President of the Council of the European Union, stated that the Advisory Opinion of the Court on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian Territory will need to be studied carefully. It will be discussed by European Foreign Ministers during the GAERC of Monday 12 July.
Minister Bot recalled that the European Union, while recognizing Israels right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, has demanded that Israel stops and reverses the construction of the Barrier inside the occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is in departure of the armistice line of 1949 and is in contradiction to the relevant provisions of international law.
The political process, as laid down in the Roadmap, is of overriding importance. Minister Bot reiterated the conviction of the European Union that the political process represents the only route to achieving a negotiated two-State solution agreed between the parties which would result in a viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent Palestinian State existing side by side in peace with an Israel living within recognized and secure borders.
It will now be up to the General Assembly to decide how to act upon the Court’s Advice.
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