01/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - The International Quartet on the Middle East (which includes the EU) met on Wednesday in Berlin. It reaffirmed the validity of the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM), extended its mandate for another three months (until September) and pointed out that it will be deciding on how aid should be reallocated to better meet needs on the spot. The Quartet calls on international donors to “keep their promises” and on Israel to resume the transfer of the tax and customs proceeds. According to the Arab press, Israel is willing to transfer blocked tax revenue to Palestinians via the TIM. The United States and the EU have initiated a study on how to receive and allocate these amounts estimated at $700 million. The Quartet also welcomed the renewed support for the Arab peace initiative and decided to meet again in the region during June “with Israelis and Palestinians in order to take stock of progress made and to study how to move forward”. They also decided to meet the Arab League in the near future to follow up the Arab Peace Initiative. (fb)