Whereas the cooperation between the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D Group) and the Palestine National Liberation Movement (Fatah) is based on shared values - including those of peace, democracy, justice, self-determination, and the respect for Human Rights and international law - as well as on a common vision about achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,

Whereas the Parties recall the decisive role played by progressive forces in efforts aimed at fulfilling the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, achieving mutual recognition and launching the peace process,

Whereas the Parties support, as an imperative for the attainment of comprehensive and lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, the fulfillment of Palestinian national rights and the establishment of the State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel based on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principle of land for peace, UN Security Council resolutions, agreements previously reached by the parties, and the Arab Peace Initiative;

Whereas the Parties call for the resumption of credible and meaningful peace negotiations on all outstanding issues, including final status issues, between Israelis and Palestinians, and call therefore for the respect of obligations under international law and previous commitments, including all those resulting from the Roadmap, notably a comprehensive settlement freeze including in and around East Jerusalem; whereas both Parties stress again that no unilateral change to the pre-1967 borders, including as regards Jerusalem, should be recognised; whereas both Parties call for a just solution to Palestine refugees to be agreed upon in accordance with international law and the abovementioned terms of reference;

Whereas the Parties underline their commitment for ensuring respect for international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law; whereas they call on the international community in this regard to ensure accountability and to fight impunity; whereas they call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip, which represents collective punishment;

Whereas both Parties call for the respect of Palestinian political prisoners’ rights in conformity with international conventions, as well as for a substantial release of Palestinian prisoners including all PLC members and other elected officials as well as all prisoners detained prior to the Oslo Agreements, while underlining that any peace agreement should include the release of all Palestinian political prisoners; 

Whereas the Parties reaffirm that enhancing the EU's relations with any side involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be linked to the respect of obligations under the peace process,

Whereas the S&D Group welcomes Fatah's decision to pursue peaceful popular resistance against occupation,

Whereas the S&D Group is committed to support Fatah's efforts aimed at achieving these goals as well as encouraging Palestinian national reconciliation and the Palestinian state-building process with the active participation of the Palestinian people,

Whereas the S&D Group and Fatah have decided to reaffirm the importance they give to their partnership and are committed to reinforcing this cooperation and to this aim they concluded the present Agreement;

1. The Parties commit to

1.1. working for the development of their relations at all levels based on the abovementioned principles;

1.2. holding regular political consultations and organizing meetings between the S&D Group on the one hand and Fatah and its parliamentary bloc on the other;

1.3. ensuring an exchange of experiences between the S&D Group and Fatah's parliamentary bloc, especially in dealing with thematic files;

1.4. developing relations between the national delegations in the S&D Group and local sections of Fatah;

1.5. jointly organizing seminars on subjects of common interest.

2. The S&D Group commits to

2.1. organizing information sessions for Fatah representatives notably as regards understanding EU institutions and EU policies, as well as other specialized themes and communication;

2.2. hosting a trainee selected by Fatah in cooperation with the S&D Group at least once a semester, for a period of two or three months, between July 2010 and December 2013;

3. The Fatah and its parliamentary bloc commit to providing information sessions to representatives of the S&D Group as regards the situation of the Palestinian people as well as on the main issues discussed in the negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

4. The Secretariat of the S&D Group and the International Relations Commission of Fatah shall be charged with implementing this Agreement.

5. This Agreement will enter into force on 11th May 2010 and will be revised by the parties in July 2014.

Brussels, 11th May 2010

                        Martin Schulz                                           Dr. Nabeel A. Shaath

                            President                                 Commissioner of International Relations

     Group of the Progressive Alliance of            Palestine National Liberation Movement

                Socialists & Democrats                                                  Fatah

              in the European Parliament