Speech by the Foreign Minister of Brazil, Ambassador Celso Amorim, at the Annapolis Conference — Annapolis, Maryland, 27 November 2007.

Madam Secretary of State,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Brazil congratulates the United States Government for taking the initiative of convening this meeting. President Bush and your own personal efforts in favour of peace are highly commendable. As are indeed the efforts carried out by President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The Israeli-Palestinian dispute has persisted for far too long. After sixty years of mutual distrust and continued violence, the time has come to address the problem realistically and effectively. It is essential that an
independent Palestinian State be established within a credible time horizon. At the same time, conditions that permit the State of Israel to coexist in peace with its neighbours must be ensured.

There will be no peace without bold decisions, which will necessarily involve concessions. Some of these will no doubt be painful.

Land for peace remains a guiding principle for a durable, negotiated solution. This must lead to a sovereign, democratic, cohesive and economically viable Palestinian State in the territories occupied since 1967. Peace must also include efficient measures to protect and secure Israel from acts of violence.

Negotiations must be comprehensive and inclusive. Moderate voices must be strengthened. This is not to be achieved by words of esteem and appreciation, however eloquent. Only solid and tangible results in the peace process will give the moderates the political support they need from their constituencies.

Madam Secretary of State,

Successive waves of Jewish and Arab migrants found shelter and refuge in Brazil. The friendly coexistence of the Jewish and Arab communities in my country is an example of tolerance, dialogue and respect.

In the last few years, we have strengthened our relations with both Israel and the Arab world. We have shown our readiness to participate actively in international efforts towards peace.

Brazil has been following with concern the continuous deterioration of living conditions in the Occupied Territories. Particularly in the Gaza Strip, we see deprivation, poverty and frustration. Brazil, together with its partners in the IBSA Fund, India and South Africa, is engaged at this very moment in developing social and economic projects to the benefit of the Palestinian people.

Brazil also supports the efforts of the Quartet Special Representative, Mr. Tony Blair, to stimulate the Palestinian economy and consolidate institution-building in Gaza and the West Bank.

Brazil participated in the Stockholm Conference of September 2006. We hope that the upcoming Paris Pledging Conference will provide a substantial boost to the Palestinian economy. Brazil is prepared to significantly increase its economic and technical cooperation in areas considered as priority by the Palestinians.

In order to be lasting, genuine peace must be accompanied by grassroots initiatives with effective participation of civil society, political parties, members of Parliament. If considered useful by both parties, Brazil
would be ready to host inclusive meetings designed to foster adherence to the values of peace and coexistence in the Middle East.

Madam Secretary of State,

It is taken for a fact that there will be no lasting peace in the Middle East without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And the world will not be safe until there is durable peace in the Middle East.

Last year, in his address to the UN General Assembly, President Lula stressed the need to engage more countries in this endeavour, including developing countries with good relations with both parties. The participation of new players will reinvigorate the peace process. In this respect, this Conference represents an important step. We are glad to note that this kind of enlarged participation of the international community is already being considered for the follow-up of Annapolis.

The fact that this Conference is taking place is already a milestone. Not only because it allowed for greater involvement of the international community. The preparatory work seems to have opened new possibilities for addressing substantive issues in parallel with confidence building measures. This would indeed be a breakthrough.

Dialogue and negotiations must prevail over rigid self-righteous positions, which only lead to bitterness and hostility. Brazil expresses its confidence that the Annapolis Conference will pave the way for a meaningful and effective resumption of the peace process. Only then will despair give way to hope.

Thank you.