ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN UNITED KINGDOM, 22-23 JUNE

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in London from Brussels on Wednesday evening, 22 June.

Upon arrival in the British capital, the Secretary-General was briefed by Álvarode Soto, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, in advance of Thursday’s Quartet meeting.

Early Thursday morning, the Secretary-General joined other members of the Middle East Quartet for a meeting at the American Ambassador’s residence in London.

Also joining the meeting where United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn, representing the European Union Presidency, European Union High Representative for the Common and Foreign Policy Javier Solana, and European Commission External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn and United States Security Coordinator Lt. Gen. William Ward.

Afterwards, in a joint statement, the members of the Quartet reaffirmed support for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank, and reiterated that this moment of optimism should not be missed to revitalize the Road Map.  It encouraged Palestinians and Israelis to take full advantage of this opportunity and to work cooperatively and directly with each other.  It urged both Israelis and Palestinians to avoid any escalation of violence so that the withdrawal can take place peacefully.

Quartet members also reiterated their full support for Mr. Wolfensohn’s efforts to strengthening the overall capacity of the Palestinian Authority.  It also urged Israel to take immediate steps to relieve the economic hardship of the Palestinian people.

The members of the Quartet said they would convene again before the Israeli withdrawal.

The Secretary-General departed London for New York early in the afternoon.