Ban welcomes decision of Israeli, Palestinian Leaders to start Direct Negotiations

(August 23, 2010) The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday welcomed the decision by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to begin direct negotiations and described the talks on the Middle East peace process “an opportunity that must not be wasted.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to direct negotiations starting in Washington on 2^nd of September, following an invitation from the United States Government and a statement yesterday from the Middle East Quartet. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said “negotiations are the only way for the parties to resolve all final status issues” and he called on both sides to demonstrate leadership and responsibility “to realize the aspirations of both peoples.” The statement noted that the international community's support for the negotiations is vital if they are to be successful and a comprehensive peace agreement is to be reached. “This opportunity must be seized so that the hope of a better future for the people of the region to live in peace, security and freedom can be fully realized,” he added. Direct bilateral talks have not been held since late 2008, but indirect, or proximity, talks resumed in May this year, with the former United States senator George Mitchell shuttling between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas. On Friday the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the US jointly issued a statement in which the group expressed “its determination to support the parties through the negotiations, which can be completed in one year, and the implementation of an agreement.”