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Tony Blair calls for credible political negotiation combined with real change on the ground

Quartet Representative Tony Blair today said that the key for progress in the Middle East is to combine a credible political negotiation with real change on the ground, in institution-building, security performance and economic development.

US Middle East Special Envoy George Mitchell told journalists in Washington DC that the Government of Israel's announcment to limit settlement construction for ten months could mark a step toward restarting peace talks.

"It falls short of a full settlement freeze, but it is more than any Israeli government has done before and can help movement toward agreement between the parties," Senator Mitchell said. "We believe the steps announced by the Prime Minister [Netanyahu] are significant and could have substantial impact on the ground."

Senator Mitchel said: "For the first time ever an Israeli government will stop housing approvals and all new construction of housing units and related infrastructure in West Bank settlements. That's a positive development."

Tony Blair said: "Today's announcements are an important step towards creating the possibility for serious and credible negotiations for a two-state solution.

"The key, as I have said consistently, is to combine a credible political negotiation with real change on the ground, in institution-building, security performance and economic development. This is the only way for the Palestinian state to be viable and the security of Israel to be assured. I applaud the sustained leadership of President Obama, Secretary Clinton and Special Envoy George Mitchell.

"For our part the Office of the Quartet Representative will continue to work hard for the recent growth on the West Bank to be sustained and expanded, for the changes in Access and Movement to be deepened; and for a different strategy on Gaza that we believe is essential to be brought about, along with the immediate release of Gilad Shalit."