Brussels - Samir Al Yahyawi
The international Quartet said at the end of its meeting in Brussels on Sunday, that it will invite the Palestinians and Israelis to resume negotiations as soon as possible. The Quartet Representative, Tony Blair, said in his statement, “today’s meeting showed the Quartet’s commitment to the deadline that was specified in the statement of the Quartet in September. And we are looking forward to meet with the parties shortly. These efforts provide us with the opportunity to explore the basics to revive negotiations \". Catherine Ashton, High Representative for foreign policy in the European Union that the Quartet said that “will call on the Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations \"as soon as possible.\" \"It\'s a pleasure to host a meeting of the Quartet envoys in Brussels today after the successful meeting held with my colleagues in New York.\" Ashton explained that the Quartet which includes the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union will invite the parties to the meeting in the coming days. \"I think we have made good progress.\" on the other hand, Nabil Abu Rdainah, presidential spokesman, said that if Israel recognized the 1967 borders and froze the settlements, we will be ready to start the talks immediately. While an Israeli official refused to comment on the planned invitation but indicated that Israel would be willing to attend. The official said that Israel \"has repeatedly expressed that its ready to start direct talks with the Palestinians without any kind of preconditions.\" \"We hope that the Palestinians are also ready.\"