The Middle East Quartet came together in Berlin on Wednesday for its second meeting this year. The last meeting took place in Washington on 2 February. The meeting focused on what steps the international community could take to foster a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
In a joint statement, the Quartet welcomed the initiation of a dialogue between leading Israeli and Palestinian politicians. Within the framework of a new political process, the Quartet expressed its hope that these efforts would be continued "with the aim of defining more clearly the political horizon and launching meaningful negotiations". The Quartet expressed its appreciation for the role played by King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia and the cessation of violence among Palestinians.
At the joint press conference held after the meeting, Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier emphasized that there were partners in the Arab world who constructively supported today's efforts to achieve peace in the region. He went on to say that the Quartet was therefore considering holding the next meeting in the region.
The meeting of the Middle East Quartet was attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice, President of the Council of the European Union and Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, EU High Representative Javier Solana and EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
