strengthening of international peace and security and is an indispensable condition for the furthering of women’s rights in the region, 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 in Washington, D.C. on 13 September 1993 13/ 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, the representative of the Palestinian people, at Cairo on 4 May 1994, 14/ and their agreement of 29 August 1994 on the preparatory transfer of powers and responsibilities, Also bearing in mind the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994, Welcoming the Declaration of Casablanca, adopted at the Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit, held at Casablanca from 30 October to 1 November 1994, Welcoming also the progress made in the multilateral track of the peace process, 1. Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East; 2. Emphasizes that the achievement of such a peace is vital for the implementation of the human rights of women in the area; 3. Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid and supports the subsequent bilateral negotiations; 4. 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; 5. Urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to include women in the peace process; 6. Also urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to support the implementation of the Declaration of Principles and to assist the Palestinian people to ensure Palestinian women’s political development and participation; 7. Urges Member States to expedite economic, financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women. 13/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex. 14/ A/49/180-S/1994/727, annex. -14-