 |
VOLUME 16: 1996-1997
|
|
| |
| |
81. Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on multilateral talks, 5 February 1997.
The Hebron Accord enabled the resumption of the multilateral talks. A new series of talks was now called for the end of March. An Israeli team was leaving for Washington for a series of preparatory discussions with the Clinton administration. Israel also welcomed European Union involvement in these talks. Text:
On Monday 3.2.97, the United States and Russia announced the convening of the Multilateral Talks Steering Committee with high ranking officials on 20-21.3.97, and of the plenum of the Environmental Committee during the second week of March in Spain. The Palestinians, who attempted to halt the multilateral process prior to the signing of the Hebron agreement, have already announced they would resume their participation in all the working groups.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation headed by Yoav Biran (Deputy Director, Middle East and the Peace Process) and Ram Aviram (coordinator for the multilateral talks), has departed for Washington D.C. for a series of preparatory talks with their counterparts at the State Department and NSC. The United States is playing a key role in renewing the process in this sphere as well.
The signing of the Hebron agreement has created the right conditions for renewing the normalization process and the multilateral talks between Israel and the Arab countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs Levy, who views this process as a most vital factor in the peace negotiations, stressed this fact in a message sent to several of his colleagues and during recent talks in Holland and France. This message has been well received by the Europeans who believe that it is within their abilities to widely contribute on the matter through the EU Emissary Moratinos.
|
|
| |