“The EU intends to use the meeting of the Quartet during this difficult phase of the Middle East conflict to renew our offer to the parties involved to provide assistance in resolving the conflict”, said Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik before flying to the meeting of the Middle East Quartet in New York on 9 May 2006. “The objective is and remains the establishment of a two-state solution that enables all the people of the region to live in peace and security.”
The Foreign Minister considers the meeting (scheduled within the framework of the Middle East Quartet) of the Quartet members the EU, the US, Russia and the United Nations with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to be a major contribution towards involving the constructive forces of the region on the path to a lasting solution.
“It is now up to the parties involved in the conflict to take up the dialogue on a solution according to the principles of the road map. To this end, it is essential that the Hamas leadership of the Palestinian government fulfils the basic requirements of non-violence, the recognition of Israel and adherence to the existing agreements. The Palestinian voters have also given Hamas a mandate to seek peace and to renounce the use of violence”, Plassnik said.
According to Plassnik, it is essential given the current situation to "continue work on improving the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population. The European Union is considering a financing mechanism under international control whose purpose, in addition to furthering all projects through international organisations such as the UN or through NGOs, is to enable continued cooperation with parts of the public sector, such as healthcare and education.”
She said that another important point will be "greater freedom of movement in the occupied Palestinian territories. I expect the new Israeli government to re-enter negotiations on the implementation of the 'Agreement on Movement and Access'. In addition, Israel is called upon to release Palestinian customs and tax revenue.”
In addition to Foreign Minister Plassnik as the representative of the EU Council Presidency, UN Secretary General Annan, US Secretary of State Rice, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, High Representative Solana and EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will also be participating in the meeting at the New York headquarters of the UN.
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