By NNN-UNNS,
Ramallah : UN General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim met Tuesday with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the last leg of his official visit to the Middle East, stressing the need for a comprehensive peace settlement in the region.
Mr. Kerim held talks in Jerusalem with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and senior members of the Knesset, the country’s parliament, including the Speaker, Dalia Itzik.
Accompanied by an official with the office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), he also held discussions in Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a statement released by a spokesperson for the Assembly President.
The statement added that during all of his meetings, Mr. Kerim emphasized that a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lay in the two States living side by side in peace and security.
He also condemned terrorism in all of its forms and voiced concern about the deaths of civilians in the conflict.
On this official tour, which has also included stops in the United Kingdom, Turkey and Egypt, Mr. Kerim has stressed that the Assembly has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to two States within recognized borders as the most viable solution.
“However, our mission has not yet been accomplished,” he has said. “After more than 60 years we still need a fully viable, secure and independent Palestinian State.”
Meanwhile, a new package of economic measures aimed at improving the economic situation for Palestinians, announced by Tony Blair, the Representative for the Middle East diplomatic Quartet, has been welcomed by a top United Nations official in the region.
“I welcome the initial set of measures announced by Tony Blair, in particular its focus on improving movement and access in opening up trade routes,” Robert Serry, who is the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), said Tuesday.
“I hope this marks the beginning of improved mobility, economic growth, security and confidence.”
According to Mr. Blair’s announcement, Israel has agreed to remove some checkpoints across the West Bank. It has also approved thousands of entry permits to Israel for Palestinian workers. Both sides have also agreed to facilitate access to and from Bethlehem, in a measure designed to boost tourism.
Mr. Serry added that “the UN is also giving strong support to the current efforts to achieve a Gaza ceasefire and a reopening of the crossings. Movement forward now is vital in itself, and to sustain the political process at a critical phase.”
The Quartet, which is chaired by the UN Secretary-General, comprises the UN, the European Union, Russia and the United States.