JORDAN: Israel and the Palestinians have laid the groundwork for a resumption of peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says in Amman

Record ID: 349716

  • Title: JORDAN: Israel and the Palestinians have laid the groundwork for a resumption of peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says in Amman
  • Date: 19th July 2013
  • Summary: JORDAN, AMMAN (JULY 19, 2013) (REUTERS) **CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY WALKING TO LECTERN FOR STATEMENT CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, SAYING: "I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians an
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAEMGO5ZHQRZJLBO2VSMJSTZETW
  • Story Text: Israel and the Palestinians have laid the groundwork for a resumption of peace talks after an almost three-year stalemate, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday (July 19).

    "I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. This is a significant and welcome step forward. The agreement is still in the process of being formalized," Kerry told reporters in Jordan.
    Direct negotiations broke down in late 2010 over Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, where, along with the Gaza Strip, Palestinians seek statehood.
    Addressing reporters before he flew back from the Jordanian capital of Amman, Kerry declined to give details on the deal. He said he expected Israeli and Palestinian envoys to join him in Washington soon and another announcement could follow.

    "The best way to give these negotiations a change is to keep them private," he said. "We know that the challenges require some very tough choices in the days ahead. Today, however, I am hopeful."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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