Russian Federation and United Kingdom reaffirm commitment to Middle East peace process – Joint statement – Press release/Non-UN document

Joint Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the Middle East peace process, Moscow, 2 November 2009

02-11-2009

We, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict based on universally recognised international law, including UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397,1515 and 1850, the Madrid principles, the Roadmap, and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

Such a settlement should lead to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with possible mutually agreed territorial adjustments, living in peace and security with the State of Israel. Such a two state solution is the only way to meet the national aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. 

Guided by this understanding Russia and Great Britain advocate the early resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, including on all final status issues, and support to this end the ongoing efforts by the US Administration. 

We urge Israel immediately to end all settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem, and to allow access to the Gaza Strip. We urge the Palestinian National Authority to continue in its efforts to strengthen security and the rule of law, building on achievements reached so far. 

We affirm the statements of the Quartet and believe that a conference on the Middle East to be hosted in Moscow, in consultation with the parties, shortly after the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, is an important stage in order to consolidate the positive dynamics on this track of the Arab-Israeli settlement and to help start movement on the other tracks including the multilateral dimension of the peace process.