The Middle East

In Annapolis, for the first time in seven years, Israelis and Palestinians made a commitment to try and reach a peace agreement. After years marked by violence and hopelessness there is now a real chance for positive change.

The final status negotiations must lead to a lasting peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state consisting of the West Bank and Gaza. This will also enhance the security of Israel and security in the immediate vicinity of the European Union. We are prepared to contribute to such a peace process in various ways.

We are working for an end to the isolation of Gaza. The Israeli settlement policy and the building of the separation barrier on occupied Palestinian territory are contrary to international law and constitute an obstacle in the negotiations.

Israel must allow freedom of movement within and between the Palestinian territories, this being a necessary condition for a functioning Palestinian economy. It is also a fundamental condition for reconciliation in the Palestinian territories, for Palestinian unity and for support for the negotiating line taken by President Abbas.

The parties must live up to their commitments under the Roadmap for Peace. It is crucial that the Palestinian National Authority continue to recognise Israel's right to exist and that it respect agreements entered into. It is a fundamental requirement that terrorism be combated. The rocket attacks against Israel must cease.

We continue to see good prospects of deepening relations with Israel. As the largest donor to the Palestinians, the European Union must play a more active political role in the Quartet and assist the United States in following up the parties' commitments. Sweden, which is already one of the largest bilateral donors of aid to the Palestinians and to Palestinian state-building, has pledged to increase its efforts.

Developments in Iran continue to give cause for concern. Human rights are still being violated and freedom of expression is still being restricted.

The European Union actively supports the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions to induce Iran to comply with its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Tendencies towards proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and a weakening of the non-proliferation regime must be taken extremely seriously. A world with more nuclear weapons powers is closer to nuclear war. In such a world there is also a greater risk of these weapons falling into the wrong hands.

Sweden supports Iraq in its efforts to achieve stability, security and democracy. The Government will continue to increase its commitment to the country, for example by strengthening Sweden's diplomatic presence in Baghdad.

Sweden is providing extensive support to the work of the United Nations in Iraq, including humanitarian support to internally displaced Iraqis and Iraqi refugees in other countries. We support Staffan de Mistura in his role as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Iraq. The Government welcomes the process of regional cooperation.