Kerry Announces Agreement for Resuming Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has announced Friday in Amman, Jordan, an apparent agreement to start peace talks between Israel and Palestine.
"The representatives of two proud peoples today have decided that the difficult road ahead is worth traveling," Kerry said.
"This is a significant and welcome step forward," he added.
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This came as he visited Ramallah and had a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmound Abbas.
"We have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct, final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis."
According to Kerry, Palestinians and Israeli officials are expected to travel to Washington for initial talks within the next week or two.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ask him to work with Kerry to "resume negotiations with Palestinians as soon as possible."
Kerry met with Arab League ministers earlier this week and it has been reported that they support a comprehensive peace plan.
According to the representatives of Arab states, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the "core issue of instability" in the region.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2010 in a dispute over Israeli settlement buildings in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Kerry remains optimistic about the reconciliation process between the two but he admits the road might be difficult.
"This is not up to chance. It's up to the Israeli people and the Palestinian people and no one else (…). We will call on everybody to act in the best of faith and push forward."
