Resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations 'a promising step forward'

US President Barack Obama on Monday said, "This is a promising step forward, though hard work and hard choices remain ahead," in relation to resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Obama said he was pleased that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas had accepted Secretary Kerry's invitation to formally resume direct final status negotiations and have sent senior negotiating teams to Washington for the first round of meetings, in a written statement released by the White House. "During my March visit to the region, I experienced first-hand the profound desire for peace among both Israelis and Palestinians, which reinforced my belief that peace is both possible and necessary," Obama said and added, "This is a promising step forward, though hard work and hard choices remain ahead." "The most difficult work of these negotiations is ahead, and I am hopeful that both the Israelis and Palestinians will approach these talks in good faith and with sustained focus and determination," he stated. US president added, "The United States stands ready to support them throughout these negotiations, with the goal of achieving two states, living side by side in peace and security." He also expressed his pleasure over Ambassador Martin Indyk leading the U.S. negotiating team as U.S. Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the statement said.