PARIS – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a meeting in Paris today with a Ministerial Delegation assigned by the Arab League’s Peace Initiative Committee. The delegation included Ministers of Foreign Affairs and permanent representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Arab League’s Secretary-General.
The U.S. Secretary of State provided an update on the ongoing permanent status negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis and reiterated the United States’ commitment to pursuing intensive negotiations to end the conflict through a permanent status agreement. He also updated the delegation on the plans to promote investment and economic growth for the Palestinian people. The delegation expressed its full support for the Secretary of State’s efforts and for the agreed upon nine month timeline.
The delegation expressed concern about continued Israeli settlement activity and unilateral Israeli actions in Jerusalem that create a negative environment. The delegation hopes that the ongoing direct permanent status negotiations will lead to a resolution that achieves a just and lasting peace through resolving all permanent status issues as a major step towards comprehensive Middle East Peace which will contribute to regional security and stability. The delegation expressed its willingness to provide whatever support may be necessary to achieve this outcome including economic support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Economic Initiative.
