Roadmap only way out of Mideast standstill Oti

The roadmap plan is the only way out of the Middle East standstill, the new European Union (EU) Middle East envoy Marc Oti said yesterday, adding that distrust among the concerned parties is another hurdle that has to be overcome.

In remarks after his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Oti said he expects to encounter a few obstacles in his mission.

He explained that the region had seen many developments in the past two years that led the concerned parties to distrust one another.

"Amid such circumstances, this standstill was not surprising and that is exactly why the UN and the US drew the roadmap," he told reporters.

He remarked that his visit to Cairo is part of his first tour in the region to communicate with all parties.