Brussels, 31/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the resumption of negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, the Quartet (European Union, Russia, United States and United Nations) called, on 30 July, “on all parties to take every possible step to promote conditions conducive to the success of the negotiating process and to refrain from actions that undermine”. In its press release, the Quartet states that it is “determined to lend its effective support to the efforts of the parties and shared commitment to achieve a negotiated two-state solution within the agreed timeframe of nine months”. The Quartet intends to meet soon at envoy level to discuss the next steps.
The Quartet explained that, while “much hard work lies ahead”, it hopes that the renewed negotiations “will be substantive and continuous and set a clear path towards a two-state solution, the end of conflict, and lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians”.
The EU, US, Russia and UN commended both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for taking the “courageous decision in the interest of their peoples” to resume the negotiations (which have been frozen since September 2010). They welcomed the efforts of US President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State John Kerry to bring the parties to the negotiating table, and commended the Arab League “for its constructive role” in support of the renewed negotiations. The Quartet hoped that the efforts would continue.
A solution within reach. Welcoming the resumption of direct negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated, on 31 July, that the EU was going to continue “to work hard in support of the parties to reach peace in the Middle East and security for all”. “We will remain fully engaged with both parties and will make every effort, together with our partners, to ensure that negotiations succeed”, Ashton also stated, saying that she believed “that a final end to this conflict is within reach”. She called on “all those who wish to see a negotiated solution to support those now engaged in talks so that the opportunity for peace can be seized”.
Ashton believed that the resumption of negotiations “opens new doors both for developing further the EU's contribution to peace and security in the region, and for deepening our relations with both parties”, reiterating that the EU is “a reliable friend and ally” of Israel and the Palestinians.
After an initial meeting in Washington on 30 July, the chief negotiators Tzipi Livni and Saëb Erakat will meet again in the Middle East in two weeks' time. (CG/transl.fl)