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Multilateral Track Renewed at Moscow Meeting
(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
February 1, 2000
The Steering Committee of the Multilateral Negotiations of the Middle
East Peace Process, in its special Moscow session attended by Foreign
Ministers, agreed today (1 Feb.) to officially renew the Multilateral
Track.
The official activities of this track were halted three years ago, as
a result of a decision taken by the Arab League. Israel was of the
position that the Multilateral Talks constitute an integral part of
the Madrid process, and fulfill an important role in the peace
negotiations. The renewal of the track will enable the entire region
to prepare the institutional infrastructure required for an era of
regional cooperation.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, has endeavored for the past few months
to emphasize the importance of this track among those states of the
region who are parties to the peace process and among the
international community as a whole. The Ministry carried out a
comprehensive diplomatic effort, which culminated in the agreement of
the parties to convene this session of the Steering Committee in
Moscow.
During the course of the Moscow meeting, there were those who
attempted to stall the process, and to limit the renewal of talks to
only two of the five main working groups. However, following
negotiations in which Israel insisted on a full renewal of the
process, and with the support of a majority of the other participant,
the Israeli position was accepted.
The Russian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State described
the meeting and its concluding text as a significant contribution to
the promotion of Middle East peace. The text sets out, among other
things, dates for the convening of plenary meetings of the five
working groups as follows:
Water - Muscat, April 11-12
Economic Development - Amman, May 8-11
Refugees - Ottawa, May 16-18
Environment - Tunis, May 31-June 1
Regional Security - It was decided that consultations between
the parties would take place in order to
enable the convening of this working group in
a few months.
In addition, the European Union will host a session of the Steering
Committee in June.
In his speech before the session today, Israeli Foreign Minister
David Levy presented a long list of ideas for practical steps and
projects in the realms of tourism, commerce, environment,
agriculture, health and water.
The Steering Committee meeting was attended by 13 Ministers. Among
those present were the US Secretary of State, the Foreign Ministers
of Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
The EU was represented by the Commissioner for International
Relations, the Coordinator for Foreign Policy, and the Foreign
Minister of Portugal. Also in attendance were the Deputy Foreign
Ministers of Japan, China and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli delegation
was led by Foreign Minister David Levy, and included Israel Foreign
Ministry Director-General Eytan Bentsur, Senior Deputy
Director-General Yoav Biran, and the Director for Multilateral
Negotiations Ram Aviram.
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