Secretary-General’s press encounter upon arrival at Headquarters
2 February 2005
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Q: Mr. Secretary-General, there is some report about the forthcoming summit within the next three days between Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian side in Sharm-el-Sheikh. Is the United Nations going to participate in that, or observe it, and what is your assessment of the situation right now regarding the peace process?
SG: No, we’ve not been invited to participate. But I did meet with President [Hosni] Mubarak two days ago in Abuja, and he did indicate to me that he was making an effort to bring the two leaders together, and I encouraged it because I thought it was a positive development. I think we do have an atmosphere and an opportunity in the region to try and move the peace process forward. Apart from President Mubarak’s meeting, there will be one in London on the 1st of March, and there will be other initiatives. And the Quartet may meet around the same time at the principals’ level to try and press on with the process.
Q: Who is going to be at the March 1st meeting?
SG: I haven’t seen the list of participants yet, but the United Kingdom government is the one putting that together.
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Document Sources: Secretary-General
Subject: Palestine question, Peace process
Publication Date: 02/02/2005