Statement Stresses
Need for Just & Comprehensive
Peace
(September 20, 2006)
Quartet principals — United
Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Finnish Foreign
Minister Erkki Tuomioja, United States Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice, High Representative
for European Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana and European Commissioner for
External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner — met today in New York to discuss developments
in the Middle East since their last meeting
on 9 May.
Taking stock of recent developments in the region, the Quartet stressed the urgent need to make progress towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expressed its concern at the grave crisis in Gaza and the continued stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Quartet welcomed the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas to form a Government of National Unity, in the hope that the platform of such a Government would reflect Quartet principles and allow for early engagement.
The Quartet underlined the urgent need for the parties to implement fully all aspects of the Agreement on Movement and Access. Accordingly, Rafah and all other passages should remain open, consistent with relevant agreements.
The Quartet encouraged
greater donor support to meet the needs of
the Palestinian people, with a particular
emphasis on security-sector reform, reconstruction
of damaged infrastructure and economic development. The
Quartet commended the efforts of the World
Bank and the European Union to facilitate
needs-based assistance directly to the Palestinian
people via the Temporary International Mechanism
endorsed by the Quartet on 17 June. Mindful
of the continuing needs of the Palestinian
people, the Quartet endorsed the continuation
and expansion of the Temporary International
Mechanism for a three-month period, and agreed
to again review the need for such a mechanism
at the end of that period.
The Quartet noted that the resumption of transfers of tax and customs revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority would have a significant impact on the Palestinian economy. The Quartet encouraged Israel and the Palestinian
Authority to consider resumption of such transfers via the Temporary International Mechanism to improve the economic and humanitarian conditions in the West
Bank and Gaza.
The Quartet welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to request James D. Wolfensohn to report on the situation on the ground.
The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to the “Road
Map” as the means to realize the goal of two democratic States — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security. The Quartet stressed the need for a credible political process in order to make progress towards a two-State solution through dialogue and parallel implementation of obligations. In this context, the Quartet welcomed the prospect of a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Abbas in the near future. The Quartet agreed to meet on a regular basis in the coming period at both the principals and envoys level, including with the parties and other regional partners, to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead.
Sources: United Nations Secretary General |