Brussels, 04/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 3 January, Catherine Ashton encouraged Israelis and Palestinians to “build on this promising first meeting”, which they had had that same day in Jordan at the invitation of the Jordanian minister for foreign affairs, Nasser Judeh, in the framework of the Quartet's declaration of 23 September 2011. She also encouraged them to “continue to work toward a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East”. The high representative explained that the EU remains “fully committed to do all it can to contribute to the resolution of the conflict”.
Ashton also expressed her “profound gratitude” to the King of Jordan and Judeh, who made this meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators possible and who had met up for the first time since September 2010, as well as to the Quartet and its representative, Tony Blair.
According to sources close to the discussions, no progress was made during this meeting but the protagonists are again expected to meet again on Friday 6 January. (CG/transl.fl)