(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni met this evening (Thursday, 13 December 2007) with the new UN Middle East Envoy, Robert Serry in Tel Aviv. This was Mr. Serry's first meeting with an Israeli minister.
FM Livni and UN Envoy Serry discussed issues relating to the negotiations with the Palestinians, and FM Livni stated that "We are holding direct bilateral negotiations, with no room for international involvement or supervision. The implementation of the process is dependant upon the transformation of the situation on the ground and in the creation of the economic and defense conditions that will allow the formation of the Palestinian state. Here, the international community can - and should - play a significant role."
In her discussions with UN envoy Serry, FM Livni stated: "The Israeli public is frustrated with the disparity between the international perception of Israel and our true values. The problematical history of the UN, as an organization, with Israel, founded on the automatic majority of the Arab-Moslem countries, must be bridged. This should be done by understanding that in conjunction with concern for orderly Palestinian life, a real war on terror is necessary. The UN can be a regional representative of the real values upon which it was created, and I believe you will be able to fulfill this mission faithfully."