The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government
Friday, 23. September 2011
Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes the Middle East Quartet's joint decision
Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed today's decision of the Middle East Quartet regarding further steps to be taken in the Middle East peace process. In close consultation with Israel, the Palestinians and other Arab states the members of the Middle East Quartet (the United States of America, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations) have laid important foundations for new negotiations.
The agreement on the statement issued by the Quartet confirms the belief of the German Government that the two-state solution, which would lead to an independent democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel, can only be achieved through negotiations.
It is now up to Israel and the Palestinians to accept their obligations to begin negotiations as soon as possible within the agreed time-frame, and to launch a credible, results-oriented process. The Middle East Quartet in which Germany is represented by the EU will continue to support this process. The German Government is willing to support efforts to achieve peace.
Special thanks are due to the Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton who has played a major and very helpful part in bringing about the statement issued today by the Middle East Quartet.
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Country: Germany, Israel
Subject: Palestine question, Peace process, Peace proposals and efforts, Statehood-related
Publication Date: 23/09/2013