Quartet Press Statement
The following statement was issued today by the Middle East Quartet (United Nations, European Union, Russian Federation,
and the United States):
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Representatives of the Quartet—U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union
Javier Solana, European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and French Foreign Minister Bernard
Kouchner—met today, and heard from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi
Livni at their request. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
President Abbas and Minister Livni briefed the Quartet on Palestinian-Israeli negotiating efforts since the November 27,
2007 international conference in Annapolis, Maryland that formally launched bilateral negotiations to bring an end to
the conflict by achieving the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. The
Palestinian and Israeli representatives reaffirmed their commitment, as stated in the Annapolis "Joint Understanding,"
to vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues,
including all core issues, without exception, as specified in previous agreements.
The parties’ representatives affirmed that, over the last year, they have engaged in direct, sustained, and intensive
bilateral negotiations, based on a joint work plan that included the establishment of more than ten committees. They
described how the parties have been actively engaged not only on core issues but on an array of other topics necessary
to turn the two-state solution into a reality. Without minimizing the gaps and obstacles that remain, the
representatives of the parties shared their assessment that the present negotiations are substantial and promising and
they have succeeded in putting in place a solid negotiating structure for continued progress in the future.
President Abbas and Foreign Minister Livni stated the parties had reached a number of mutual understandings on the
principles governing their negotiating process. These include:
The need for continuous, uninterrupted, direct, bilateral negotiations;
The principle that nothing would be considered agreed until everything is agreed;
The need to reach a comprehensive agreement addressing all issues, as agreed at Annapolis, rather than just announce
agreement on selected items in isolation.
The parties’ representatives also confirmed that, as stated in the Annapolis Joint Understanding, the parties remained
committed to implementation of their respective obligations under the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State
Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and to the agreed mechanism for monitoring and judging Roadmap
implementation and that, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, implementation of the future peace treaty will be
subject to implementation of the Roadmap, as judged by the United States.
In addition to describing the structure of the negotiations and indicating areas in which progress has been achieved,
President Abbas and Minister Livni expressed gratitude for international support provided during the last year and
requested continued support from the Quartet and all members of the international community. First, they asked that the
international community support the parties’ sustained efforts in the framework of the Annapolis process and that it
respect the agreed principles for their negotiations as described to the Quartet. Second, they asked that all States
promote an environment conducive to peace, non-violence, and the two-state solution. In this regard, they urged
political and economic assistance, especially in relation to institutional and security reform, capacity building,
economic development and the fulfillment of pledges, to the legitimate Palestinian government which has accepted the
Quartet principles and respects the PLO commitments. They asked the international community to redouble efforts to
confront and deny support for extremism, incitement, terrorism, and intolerance. Finally, the representatives stressed
that, absent the joint request of the parties, third parties should not intervene in the bilateral negotiations. At the
same time, they confirmed that international support and assistance will be vital once an agreement is reached, and that
they intend to jointly consult members of the international community on this issue at the appropriate time.
The Quartet expressed its appreciation for the description by the parties of their joint efforts, which confirmed the
seriousness of the Annapolis process and underscored the determination of the parties to reach a comprehensive
agreement. The Quartet reiterated its commitment to supporting the parties’ efforts, underlined its commitment to the
irreversibility of the bilateral negotiations, pledged to respect the bilateral and confidential nature of the
negotiations, and called on all states to adhere to these same commitments. The Quartet endorsed the goals set out by
the parties and called on all states to lend their diplomatic and political support to that end, including by
encouraging and recognizing progress to date.
The Quartet renewed its call on relevant states and international organizations to assist in the development of the
Palestinian economy, to maximize the resources available to the Palestinian Authority, and to contribute to the
Palestinian institution-building program in preparation for statehood, as decided during the Paris, Bethlehem, and
Berlin Conferences. The Quartet cited Jenin as an example of the success of reforms instituted by the Palestinian
government and of cooperation between the two sides, made possible in the context of the Annapolis process. The Quartet
further welcomed the recent deployment of Palestinian security services in the Hebron governorate as a sign of the
progress that has resulted from increased security cooperation. The Quartet emphasized its determination to continue to
work with Israel and the Palestinian government to facilitate access and movement and an improvement in conditions on
the ground in order to address urgent humanitarian needs, foster economic activity, and improve the atmosphere for the
negotiations. The Quartet reiterated its call to the parties to fully implement their obligations under phase one of the
Roadmap, including in relation to freezing settlement activity and the dismantlement of the infrastructure of terrorism.
The Quartet emphasized the importance of continuity of the peace process The Quartet agreed that the spring of 2009
could be an appropriate time for an international meeting in Moscow.
The Quartet reaffirmed its previous statements, including the September 26, 2008, statement issued in New York. Further,
welcoming the recent calls for a broader peace, the Quartet offered its support for the expansion of ongoing diplomatic
efforts toward regional peace, noted the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative, and reaffirmed its commitment to a
just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242, 338,
1397 and 1515.
ENDS