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Middle East Quartet: a step
towards peace
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, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado,
and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita
Ferrero-Waldner – met today in Portugal to discuss the
situation in the Middle East. They were joined by
Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to bring about an
end to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and to work to
lay the foundation for the establishment of an
independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state
living side by side with Israel in peace and security,
as a step towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting
peace in the Middle East, consistent with the Roadmap
and UN Security Council resolutions.
The Quartet welcomed President Bush’s July 16 statement
renewing U.S. commitment to a negotiated two-state
solution, and supported President Bush’s call for an
international meeting in the fall. The Quartet looks
forward to consultations as the meeting is prepared. The
Quartet agreed that such a meeting should provide
diplomatic support for the parties in their bilateral
discussions and negotiations in order to move forward on
a successful path to a Palestinian state.
The Quartet welcomed the agreement by Tony Blair to be
the Quartet Representative and discussed with him the
urgent work that lies ahead. Noting the centrality of
reform, economic development, and institutional capacity
building to the establishment of a stable and prosperous
Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that will
unite all Palestinians, and live in peace and security
with Israel and its other neighbors, the Quartet urged
the parties and all states in the region to work closely
with Mr. Blair, and encouraged robust international
support for his efforts, including the convening of an
Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in the fall.
The Quartet expressed support for the Palestinian
Authority government headed by Salam Fayyad, which is
commited to the political platform of President Abbas,
that reflects the January 30, 2006 Quartet principles.
The Quartet encouraged direct and rapid financial
assistance and other aid to the Palestinian Authority
government to help reform, preserve, and strengthen
vital Palestinian institutions and infrastructure, and
to support the rule of law.
The Quartet welcomed the resumption of bilateral talks
between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, and
expressed support for steps taken by the Israeli
Government ,including the resumption of tax and customs
revenue transfers and the decision to release
Palestinian prisoners. The Quartet encouraged continued
bilateral dialogue and further cooperation, including on
the political horizon as the necessary framework to move
forward. It urged both parties to work without delay to
fulfill their previous commitments and to build
confidence.
Recognizing the continuing importance of the Arab Peace
Initiative, the Quartet looked forward to the planned
visit to Israel by representatives of the Arab League to
discuss the Initiative. The Quartet expressed support
for continued and expanded dialogue between Israel and
the Arab states. It looked forward to an early meeting
with the Arab states to follow up on their May meeting
in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Quartet emphasized the need to find ways to sustain
Palestinian economic activity and the importance of
creating circumstances that would allow for full
implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access,
particularly in view of the impact of crossings on the
Palestinian economy and daily life. The Quartet
encouraged both parties to address their Roadmap
obligations, including an end to settlement expansion
and the removal of unauthorized outposts, and an end to
violence and terror. The Quartet expressed its deep
concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and
agreed on the importance of continued emergency and
humanitarian assistance.
The Quartet agreed to continue to consult regularly on
developments, and to meet again in September to take
stock of developments, hear from Mr. Blair on his
strategy for the economic and institutional agenda, and
discuss the way ahead. |
