World Watch Daily :: US-Israel strategic talks open in Jerusalem

"Last Generation Forums" :: News Services :: World Watch Daily :: US-Israel strategic talks open in Jerusalem  Author Topic: US-Israel strategic talks open in Jerusalem (Read 1 time) Michael James Stone Administrator Site-Administrator member isonline   Joined: May 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 910 US-Israel strategic talks open in Jerusalem « Thread Started Today at 4:31am »    US-Israel strategic talks open in Jerusalem to discuss Iran, regional issues Deputy Secretary of State William Burns arrives for talks • In Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas briefs Burns on developments in negotiations with Israel • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expected to visit next week Israel Hayom Staff Deputy Secretary of State William Burns (left) meets with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, Thursday. | Photo credit: Flash 90 U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will meet with senior Israeli officials on Thursday, and lead the American side of the twice-yearly U.S.-Israel Strategic Dialogue. The talks are expected to focus on Iran and on the consequences of recent regional upheavals. Speaking at the start of the meeting, Burns said the strategic dialogue reflected the strong relationship between the two countries. He said there has never been more important discussions between the countries in light of recent regional changes. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, heading the Israeli delegation to the talks, said Thursday morning, "This is the fifth round of strategic dialogue between our countries. These current talks are especially important given the geo-political changes in the region and the enormous challenges we face. These are critical times and there is vital importance in close and intimate coordination between the two countries. Stopping the Iranian nuclear program is of course at the top of our agenda; Iran is the most serious and immediate threat to regional security and world peace." On Wednesday, Burns met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, the French news agency AFP reported. "President Abbas briefed Burns on the latest developments in the political process, which is stalled because of the intransigent position of the Israeli government," said a statement from Abbas' office, published by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. The statement accused Israel of "refusing to adhere to the agreements signed between the two sides and the terms of reference of the peace process, to halt settlement activity and release prisoners arrested before 1994." "The president emphasized that the resumption of negotiations requires pressure on the Israeli government to implement its commitment to halt settlement activities, including in Jerusalem, and to accept the principle of a two-state solution," the statement said. "These are not Palestinian pre-conditions, but the obligations of Israel under the [Middle East peace] road map," it quoted Abbas as saying, referring to an agreement signed by both sides. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to visit the region on July 16-17 for the first time in almost two years.   Report to Mod - Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged

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