Brussels, 23/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU has called for the rapid resumption of peace talks in the Middle East, with the aim of reaching a framework agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians “by September 2011”. To this end, the Foreign Affairs Council called on Monday 23 May for a meeting, as soon as possible, of the Quartet at the level of the Foreign Affairs ministers. “The parties (Israelis and Palestinians) and the international community must contribute to the resumption of substantive talks as a matter of urgency, leading to a framework agreement by September 2011”, the 27 state in their conclusions. “The fundamental changes in the Arab world have made the need for progress on the Middle East Peace Process all the more urgent”, the text adds. “Recent events have indeed shown the necessity of heeding the legitimate aspirations of peoples in the region, including those of Palestinians for statehood, and of Israelis for security”, the Council states. It also welcomed the reconciliation agreement concluded on 3 May between Fatah and Hamas and calls on both parties to implement it. The EU particularly welcomes the fact that Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, “will be the representative of Palestine in peace negotiations” with the Israelis. (H.B./transl.fl)