Quartet urges revival of Mid East talks, reconstruction of Gaza
The "Quartet" of Middle East peace mediators urged a prompt resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians after a meeting in Munich on Sunday and voiced concern about the slow pace of reconstruction in Gaza, damaged in last year's conflict.
"The Quartet underlined the importance of the parties resuming negotiations as soon as possible," the group comprising the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia said in a joint statement after their meeting in Germany. US Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Russia's Sergei Lavrov and deputy UN head Jan Eliasson reiterated that talks must respect Palestinian aspirations for statehood and Israel's security concerns.
"The Quartet is deeply concerned over the difficult situation in Gaza where the pace of reconstruction needs to be accelerated to address the basic needs of the Palestinian population and to ensure stability," said the diplomats.
