United Nations - November 27, 2008 - Back to Resources Page


Statement issued by Middle East Quartet on November 10, 2008.

- Briefing by President Abbas, and Minister Livni on negotiations developments since November 2007
- Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues as specified in previous agreements
- The parties’ representatives affirmed that they have engaged in direct, sustained and intensive bilateral negotiations necessary to turn the two-State solution into a reality
- Abbas and Livni stated the parties had reached a number of mutual understandings on the principles governing their negotiating process, including: the need for continuous, direct, bilateral negotiations; the principle that nothing would be considered agreed until everything is agreed; and
the need to reach a comprehensive agreement addressing all issues
- The parties’ representatives also confirmed their committment to the Road Map to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and to the agreed mechanism for monitoring and judging Road Map implementation
- Both parties expressed gratitude for international support provided during the last year and requested continued support from the Quartet and all members of the international community
- They asked the international community to redouble efforts to confront and deny support for extremism, incitement, terrorism and intolerance
- The representatives stressed that third parties should not intervene in the bilateral negotiations unless requested to

The Quartet:
- expressed its appreciation for the joint efforts
- reiterated its commitment to supporting the parties’ efforts
- endorsed the goals set out by the parties and called on all States to lend their diplomatic and political support to that end
- renewed its call on relevant States and international organizations to assist in the development of the Palestinian economy,
- cited Jenin as an example of the success of reforms instituted by the Palestinian Government
- 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
- 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 i
- reiterated its call to the parties to fully implement their obligations under phase one of the Road Map, including in relation to freezing settlement activity and the dismantlement of the infrastructure of terrorism
- emphasized the importance of continuity of the peace process
- agreed that the spring of 2009 could be an appropriate time for an international meeting in Moscow.
- reaffirmed its previous statements, welcoming the recent calls for a broader peace.



United Nations - November 27, 2008 - Back to Resources Page


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