SecGen meets with Israeli Prime Minister – SecGen remarks to the press

Jerusalem, 21 March 2010 – Secretary-General's remarks to the press with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your warm welcome. My visit is taking place at a crucially important juncture when you are about to begin proximity talks with the Palestinians. The Quartet has strongly (inaudible) and supported these proximity talks. We believe that these proximity talks should lead to direct negotiations between the two concerned parties, discussing on all the matters, security, borders and refugees and all others. (inaudible) of your country and the international community. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations and a member of the Quartet I will spare no efforts to strongly support and encourage your search for a resolution.

For that purpose I am going to report to the Security Council about the results of this Quartet meeting and about my visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authorities. And I am going to participate in the League of Arab summit. I will try to encourage the Arab leaders to support and encourage these proximity talks. This is not is not only in the interest of the Palestine and Israeli people but in the interest of the region and in the interest of the (inaudible). You can count on me.

We have many other issues, the regional issues – the regional dimension, dynamics sometimes are very much negative.

We really hope to have the strong support and active and constructive contribution of all the parties in the region, and I would like to discuss all these issues, including the Iran nuclear issue.

I know that this is the core part of your concern, but this is not only the concern of Israel this is the concern of the all the international community. As Secretary- General, I work very closely with the member states particularly with the Security Council to have a resolution of this issue.

Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the United Nations for your generous and swift support for the Haitian people. You demonstrated great humanity and it was widely respected and appreciated.

I met some of your people who participated in this field hospital and search and rescue and it is very (inaudible) and really I hope Israel will expand the scope of your horizons of participating in (inaudible).

And I just came back from my trip to Gaza. And thank-you much for (inaudible) the United Nations to build one hundred and fifty housing units in Khan Younis, and many other humanitarian projects. It is a very constructive welcome first step but I believe we need to do more, so I would like to discuss this. Thank you.