(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The Quartet agreed to consult with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Arab League Secretary-General as part of its regular and direct outreach to key Arab partners in yet another bid to solve the Palestinian cause.
In a joint statement following their meeting on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the General Assembly, the Quartet emphasized the importance of constructive international contributions to advancing a comprehensive peace, and affirmed that it will continue its outreach efforts.
The Quartet - the US, EU, Russia and the UN - called for constructive international contributions to advancing a comprehensive peace, and affirmed that it will continue its outreach efforts, according to the statement.
The Quartet, meeting at a ministerial level, noted with "deep concern" recent violence and escalating tensions surrounding the holy sites in Jerusalem and called upon all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve unchanged the status quo at the holy sites in both word and practice.
Representatives of the Quartet were called for an emergency meeting by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and noted in their joint statement that the intensifying threat of terrorism, sectarian extremism and radicalization in the Middle East reinforces the need to pursue a negotiated two-state solution.
Russia, UN, US and the EU expressed serious concern at continued acts of violence against Palestinians and Israelis, ongoing settlement activity, and the high rate of demolitions of Palestinian structures, "are dangerously imperiling the viability of a two-state solution." The Quartet underscored the status quo is not sustainable and stressed the importance of both sides' demonstrating, through policies and actions, a genuine commitment to a two-state solution in order to rebuild trust and avoid a cycle of escalation.
They also expressed strong support for concrete and significant steps that will help stabilize the situation, reverse current trends by showing meaningful progress towards creating a two-state reality on the ground, and restore hope among Palestinians and Israelis that a negotiated peace is possible.
It stressed that the Palestinian commitment to building institutions, improving governance, and strongly opposing incitement and violence in all forms "remains critically important to laying the groundwork for a viable independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
The Quartet urged an immediate focus on accelerating efforts to address the dire situation in Gaza, emphasized the importance of increased access through legal crossings, and called on all international partners to expedite the disbursement of their pledges made at the Cairo Conference in October 2014.
In their statement, the Quartet promised to stand ready to support initiatives to advance these objectives in order to achieve a comprehensive two-state solution, noted significance and importance of the Arab Peace Initiative with its vision for a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the opportunity for building a regional security framework.
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