Middle East Quartet calls for closer engagement with Arab partners

The Middle East Quartet Envoys (US, Russia, UN and EU) met in Brussels on Monday with the participation of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.
The envoys shared assessments of the political outlook for the region and prospects for reviving the Middle East Peace Process, according to a statement by the Quartet.
"They explored the role that the Quartet could play in supporting the resumption of meaningful negotiations with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution. They noted in this regard the importance of engaging closely with their Arab partners. They agreed on the importance of convening a meeting of the Quartet Principals as soon as possible," it said.
They also underscored the urgency of improving the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and agreed that every effort should be made to encourage the fulfilment of pledges of assistance made at the Cairo Conference on the reconstruction of Gaza in October last year, it added.