MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

15.11.2005

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Pasqualina Napoletano
on behalf of the PSE Group
on the Iranian President's recent statements

B6‑0609/2005

European Parliament resolution on the Iranian President's recent statements

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 7 November 2005,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran, in particular that of 13 October 2005,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Middle East, in particular those of 23 October 2003 and 27 January 2005,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas on 26 October 2005 the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran made comments in a public conference in Tehran on the State of Israel, and whereas these comments were reported by the Iranian State News Agency,

B.  whereas in these comments the Iranian President repeated words used by Ayatollah Khomeini which have not been used by the Iranian authorities in several years,

C.  whereas the international community immediately strongly rejected such calls for violence and the destruction of any state,

D.  whereas Iran is involved in negotiations with the EU on the basis of a proposed Comprehensive Dialogue, which includes sensitive issues such as the nuclear programme, economic cooperation and human rights,

1.  Condemns the comments made by the President of Iran on the State of Israel and strongly rejects any calls for the destruction of a state which is part of the international community and is founded on a democratic basis;

2.  Expresses its concern about the possible consequences of this kind of comment in a region which is still confronted with violence, terrorist attacks and fundamentalist extremist calls;

3.  Reiterates its view that Israel has the right to live in peace and security alongside an independent and viable Palestinian State;

4.  Reiterates its call to the Iranian authorities to play a proactive and positive role in the Middle East peace process and to contribute to the security of the wider region of the Middle East; considers, in this context, that an agreement on the nuclear issue should encourage all the parties concerned to promote security and peace for all;

5.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to act in line with the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 7 November 2005 and the European Parliament resolution of 13 October 2005 in order to reach a diplomatic solution on the concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and to maintain this position in any further developments in the Comprehensive Dialogue;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative for the CFSP, and the Governments and Parliaments of the State of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Islamic Republic of Iran.