Russian Foreign Minister's Special Representative for the Middle East settlement Vladimir Safronkov and his counterparts on the issue - UN Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and EU Special Representative Sven Koopmans - spoke in favor of the soonest possible convocation of the Quartet of international mediators on the Middle East settlement at the ministerial level.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said following separate telephone conversations between the sides the day before, the diplomats "agreed on the importance of stepping up consolidated efforts in order to consolidate the ceasefire established around the Gaza Strip on May 21" and noted that incitement to violence and also unilateral action which undermines the prospects of a two-state solution is "unacceptable".
"In order to avoid a recurrence of the armed phase of the crisis, the need to resume a direct negotiation process between Palestinians and Israelis was noted," the diplomatic office said in a statement. - "The unique role of the "quartet" of international mediators consisting of Russia, the US, the UN and the EU was emphasized. In this context, the urgency of convening a meeting of the Quartet at the ministerial level in a short period of time was emphasized again".
The Russian Special Representative praised UN efforts in coordinating with all parties in the field of humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza.
"It was agreed to continue the exchange of views on the situation and possible practical steps to revive the Middle East settlement during the next teleconference of the Quartet special representatives," stressed Smolensk Square.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS