Mideast Quartet ‘Only Mechanism’ to Mediate Palestine Conflict - UN Envoy

Russia Deputy UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov holds a press briefing after attending closed Security Council meetings

New York, 09 Sya’ban 1437/17 May 2016 (MINA) – The Middle East Quartet remains the single legitimate mediation framework of Israeli-Palestinian settlement and regional security, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov told Sputnik.

“Yes, it is not immediate results. But we always say, whether you like the Quartet, or you don’t like it, it is the only mediation mechanism endorsed by the Security Council resolution,” Safronkov said.

The Quartet, comprising Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, was established in 2002 with the aim of mediating the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“And we of course from this point of view, we consider that, it is our vision, it is the only way for the security in the Middle East in a classical political way supposed. It is the only way for security with the realization of two-state solution,” Safronkov said.

Last month, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called the French-proposed international conference on Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation the “only alternative” to the deadly stabbings and retaliatory attacks that escalated in the fall of 2015 and continue to date.

Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition of their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been building settlements on the occupied territories, despite objection from the United Nations.

The State of Palestine is recognized by 137 countries, including Russia, according to the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)