Joint Statement by the Quartet
The Quartet – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton – met in Moscow on March 19, 2010. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair. Joint Statement» Quartet Joint Press Availability»
Israeli/Palestinian Talks (Mar. 8)
Statement by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell:
"I’m pleased that the Israeli and Palestinian leadership have accepted indirect talks. We've begun to discuss the structure and scope of these talks and I will return to the region next week to continue our discussions. As we've said many times, we hope that these will lead to direct negotiations as soon as possible. We also again encourage the parties, and all concerned, to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks."
Iraqi National Elections
Secretary Clinton (Mar. 7): "I congratulate all the people of Iraq who participated in national elections today.... Iraqis have chosen a new government to lead their country at a critical time." Full Text» Statement by Ambassador Hill and Gen. Odierno»
Comprehensive Peace in the Middle East
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Mar. 2): "...We have a shared goal of comprehensive peace in the Middle East. And we think we are at a point in time where there’s some reason to believe that the parties are getting closer to the kind of discussions that we think will lead to resolving the complex issues that they face." Daily press briefing»
On January 22, 2009, President Obama and Secretary Clinton designated George Mitchell Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. In her remarks, Secretary Clinton said, "He will help us to develop an integrated strategy that defends the security of Israel, works to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will result in two states living side by side in peace and security, and to achieve further agreements to promote peace and security between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Senator Mitchell will also work to support the objectives that the President and I believe are critical and pressing in Gaza, to develop a program for humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction, working with the Palestinian Authority and Israel on behalf of those objectives." Full Text»
