The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Yuval Steinitz, Minister of International Relations of Israel.  The Secretary-General reiterated his belief that negotiations are the best way to achieve the two-state solution and expressed his support for the ongoing talks. 

The Secretary-General encouraged steps to bolster the Palestinian Authority and welcomed Israel’s recently announced steps to ease the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza.  The Secretary-General and Minister Steinitz also exchanged views on the regional situation.