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QUARTET STATEMENT
9 February 2007
The Quartet Principals – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High
Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier, and European Commissioner for External
Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner – discussed by
telephone today the situation in the Middle East.
The Quartet welcomed the role of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia in reaching the agreement to form a Palestinian
National Unity government. The Quartet expressed hope
that the desired calm would prevail.
While awaiting formation of the new Palestinian
government, the Quartet reaffirmed its statement of
February 2 regarding its support for a Palestinian
government committed to nonviolence, recognition of
Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and
obligations, including the Roadmap.
Quartet members will meet February 21 in Berlin to
continue their consideration of these developments, and
to review formation and implementation of the agreement
on the government. They welcomed the upcoming February
19 trilateral meeting between U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert,
and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud
Abbas. The Quartet will discuss the way ahead at the
February 21 meeting. |