Middle East Quartet call on Israel, Palestinians to renew talks as matter of urgency – UN news item

UN and partners call on Israel, Palestinians to renew talks as matter of urgency

24 September 2009 – The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for Middle East peace today urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume their negotiations as a matter of urgency in pursuit of a two-State solution to their conflict.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted the latest meeting of the so-called Quartet which brings together the UN, European Union (EU), Russia and the United States in a now seven-year-old effort to resolve the so-far intractable issue.

“The Quartet reiterates that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967; resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties; and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through two States for two peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,” it said in a communiqué.

Mr. Ban was joined at the high-level meeting in New York by EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Special Middle East Peace Envoy George Mitchell.

Also attending were Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, representing the EU Presidency, and Quartet Representative Tony Blair.

“The Quartet shares the sense of urgency expressed by [US] President [Barack] Obama and fully supports the steps ahead as outlined in his statement to the UN General Assembly on September 22,” the communiqué said.

“The Quartet urges the Government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem and calls on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make every effort to improve law and order, to fight violent extremism, and to end incitement,” the communiqué said, echoing Mr. Obama’s words.

The four partners welcomed plans by the Palestinian Authority to complete the building of state institutions within 24 months as a demonstration of its serious commitment to an independent State that provides opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people and is a responsible neighbour to all States in the region.

They also noted significantly improved economic growth in the West Bank and welcomed initial ministerial contact between the Palestinian Authority and Israel on economic issues, as well as further steps by Israel to promote change on the ground, urging it to re-double those efforts, in particular concerning free movement of people and goods.

The Quartet called for a durable solution to the Gaza crisis that addresses Israel’s legitimate security concerns, including an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza; promotes the re-unification of Gaza, which was seized by Hamas two years ago, with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority; and facilitates the opening of crossings to allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and persons.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Mr. Ban yesterday conferred separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, calling for a full settlement freeze with the former, and congratulating the latter on recent steps towards political renewal and economic revitalization.