Mideast Quartet Committee's Final Statement in Moscow

The Quartet Committee on Monday renewed support to efforts of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.

In its final statemen in Moscow, the Quartet said it would continue contacts with all the parties concerned in the Middle East to help achieve the sought-for objective.

Meantime, "Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip is the first step towards the implementation of the roadmap and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," Kofi Annan said.

He added that the Committee urges the two sides to adhere to their commitments towards the roadmap, welcoming Palestinian reforms in the security apparatus.

For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the main target is to reach a comprehensive solution to the conflict in the region, pointing out that Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined the importance of focusing on all aspects of the peace process in the Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "there are real prospects to go ahead to reach a solution to the Middle East over the forthcoming few months." Rice pointed out that heading forward depends on Israel's withdrawal from Gaza Strip, saying "this could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state and improving the economic development in the Palestinian territories." Earlier, a Russian source said "Moscow is to offer technical aid to the Palestinian side in the field of security and training the Palestinian cadres." Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko underlined the necessity of dismantling Israeli settlements built in March 2001 and freezing its settlement activities in line with the roadmap.