Meeting in London, the leaders of the European Economic Community, in a statement on the Middle East, called for the establishment of a national home for the Palestinians and claimed that no peace would survive without a solution for the Palestinians. This has been a reaffirmation of positions held by the Nine since 1973, which was based on the Arab reading of Resolution 242.
At the present critical stage in the Middle East, the Nine welcome all efforts now being made to bring to an end the tragic conflict there. They emphasise the crucial interest which they see in early and successful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. They call on all the parties concerned to agree urgently to participate in such negotiations in a constructive and realistic spirit: At this juncture in particular all parties should refrain from statements or policies which could constitute an obstacle to the pursuit of peace.
The Nine set out on many occasions in the past, for example, in their statements of 6 November 1973, 28 September 1976 and 7 December 1976, their view that a peace settlement should be based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and on:
I. The inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force;
II. The need for Israel to end the territorial occupation which it has maintained since the conflict of 1967;
III. Respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries;
IV. Recognition that in the establishment of a just and lasting peace account must be taken of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.
It remains their firm view that all these aspects must be taken as a whole.
The Nine have affirmed their belief that a solution to the conflict in the Middle East will be possible only if the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to give effective expression to its national identity is translated into fact, which would take into account the need for a homeland for the Palestinian people. They consider that the representatives of the parties to the conflict including the Palestinian people must participate in the negotiations in an appropriate manner to be worked out in consultation between all the parties concerned. In the context of an overall settlement, Israel must be ready to recognise the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people: equally, the Arab side must be ready to recognise the right of Israel to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries. It is not through the acquisition of territory by force that the security of the states of the region can be assured: but it must be based on commitments to peace exchanged between all the parties concerned with a view to establishing truly peaceful relations.
The Nine believe that the peace negotiations must be resumed urgently, with the aim of agreeing and implementing a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the conflict. They remain ready to contribute to the extent the parties wish in finding a settlement and in putting it into effect. They are also ready to consider participating in guarantees in the framework of the United Nations.