Brussels, 02/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Mr Kofi Annan and Mr Göran Persson issued the following statement on 2 February:
"The United Nations Secretary-General and the Swedish Prime Minister, in his capacity as President of the European Council, have had regular contacts with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders over the past week, during and following the recent rounds of negotiations. They have also been in contact with President Mubarak and other regional and international leaders. The UN Secretary-General and the Swedish Prime Minister reiterate their strong support for the Middle East peace process, and hope that it will soon be possible for the two sides to return to the negotiating table. The UN Secretary-General and the Swedish Prime Minister conveyed to the parties their conviction that it is possible to reach an agreement in the near future, and encouraged the parties vigorously to continue the peace process on the basis of the progress made in Taba, in order to reach a final status agreement, and the end of the conflict, as soon as possible. They expressed their continuing personal readiness and commitment to assist the peace process in any way possible. The UN Secretary-General and the Swedish Prime Minister also urged the parties to implement outstanding agreement including the Sharm el Sheikh Understandings. They expressed their concern that the situation in the region was fragile, and called on the parties to refrain from any actions that might provoke further violence".