The General Assembly,
 
      Recalling its resolution 50/21 of 4 December 1995,
 
      Stressing that the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting
settlement of the Middle East conflict will constitute a significant
contribution to strengthening international peace and security,
 
      Recalling the convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle East at
Madrid on 30 October 1991 on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242
(1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973 and the
subsequent bilateral negotiations as well as the meetings of the multilateral
working groups, and noting with satisfaction the broad international support
for the peace process,
 
      Noting the continuing positive participation of the United Nations as a
full extraregional participant in the work of the multilateral working groups,
 
      Bearing in mind the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, in
Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993 and the subsequent Agreement on the
Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area signed by the Government of the State of
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization at Cairo on 4 May 1994,
their 29 August 1994 Agreement on the Preparatory Transfer of Powers and
Responsibilities, the Protocol of Further Transfer of Powers and
Responsibilities signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization at Cairo on 27 August 1995 and the Interim Agreement
on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, signed by the Government of Israel and the
Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C., on 28 September 1995,
 
      Also bearing in mind the Agreement between Israel and Jordan on the
Common Agenda, signed in Washington, D.C., on 14 September 1993, the
Washington Declaration signed by Jordan and Israel on 25 July 1994 and the
Treaty of Peace between the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan of 26 October 1994,
 
      Welcoming the Declaration of the Middle East/North Africa Economic
Summit held at Casablanca from 30 October to 1 November 1994, the Declaration
of the Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit held at Amman from 29 to 31
October 1995 and the Middle East/North Africa Economic Conference held at
Cairo from 12 to 14 November 1996,
 
      Welcoming also the declared commitment of the parties concerned to
overcome remaining difficulties and proceed with negotiations,
 
      1.    Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid, and supports the
subsequent bilateral negotiations;
 
      2.    Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
 
      3.    Expresses its full support for all the achievements of the peace
process thus far, which constitute important steps in achieving a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
 
      4.    Urges all parties to fulfil their obligations and to implement the
agreements already reached;
 
      5.    Calls for the immediate acceleration of negotiations within the
Middle East peace process on its agreed basis;
 
      6.    Stresses the need to achieve rapid progress on all tracks of the
Arab-Israeli negotiations within the peace process;
 
      7.    Welcomes the results of the Conference to Support Middle East
Peace, convened in Washington, D.C., on 1 October 1993, including the
establishment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, and the subsequent work of the
World Bank Consultative Group, welcomes also the appointment by the
Secretary-General of the "United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied
Territories", and urges Member States to expedite economic, financial and
technical assistance to the Palestinian people during the interim period;
 
      8.    Calls upon all Member States to extend economic, financial and
technical assistance to parties in the region and to render support for the
peace process;
 
      9.    Considers that an active United Nations role in the Middle East
peace process and in assisting in the implementation of the Declaration of
Principles can make a positive contribution;
 
      10.   Encourages regional development and cooperation in areas where
work has begun within the framework of the Madrid Conference.