http://tonyblairoffice.org en Copyright 2013 2013-06-14T12:37:48+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/blair-congratulates-dr.-rami-al-hamdallah-on-his-appointment-as-the-next-pa/ /quartet/news-entry/blair-congratulates-dr.-rami-al-hamdallah-on-his-appointment-as-the-next-pa/ I believe that the viability of the future Palestinian state will depend on a strong and sustainable economy, and I believe that we need to continue to grow the economy in parallel with the resumption of political talks. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-06-05T09:21:48+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/statement-from-the-office-of-the-quartet-representative-on-the-economic-pla/ /quartet/news-entry/statement-from-the-office-of-the-quartet-representative-on-the-economic-pla/ The plan will complement, support and run in parallel with a renewed political process, and is not intended to replace that political process. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-05-26T13:36:18+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair said "I am concerned over the rising tension in the holy places in Jerusalem and the scenes of violence that we witnessed during Easter. I urge Israel to respect and guarantee free access for believers from all religions to their respective holy places for worship". Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-05-12T10:25:31+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/oqr-assesses-the-situation-in-gaza/ /quartet/news-entry/oqr-assesses-the-situation-in-gaza/ Restrictions on movement and access between Israel and the Gaza Strip have been tightened in the last month. An OQR team, led by Head of Mission Dr. Firas Raad, visited Gaza last week to meet with private sector and civil society representatives to discuss the impact of these restrictions on the Gazan economy. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-04-19T13:24:06+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/folke-bernadotte-academy-delegation-visits-oqr/ /quartet/news-entry/folke-bernadotte-academy-delegation-visits-oqr/ On April 11 a delegation from the Swedish Folke Bernadotte Academy met with Head of Mission Dr. Firas Raad and Deputy Head of Mission Mark Singleton at the Office of the Quartet Representative. The Swedish delegation was led by Director-General Mr. Sven-Erik Soder. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-04-11T08:58:57+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-expresses-concern-over-rising-tension-on-/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-expresses-concern-over-rising-tension-on-/ I am deeply troubled by the loss of life and call on the Government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint in dealing with the demonstrations in the West Bank. I also call on all sides to avoid public statements that could further fuel the tensions”. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-04-05T08:03:36+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/what-happened-at-the-ahlc/ /quartet/news-entry/what-happened-at-the-ahlc/ Chair of the meeting, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, emphasized the urgency of resuming the political process for a two-state solution, as well as increasing concerns over the Palestinian economy and fiscal position of the PA. He called on donors for predictable financial assistance, on the PA to continue its structural reforms, and on Israel to significantly ease restrictions particularly on movement of goods and people, and development of Area C. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-03-20T15:17:24+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/oqr-reports-to-the-ahlc/ /quartet/news-entry/oqr-reports-to-the-ahlc/ More than ever, this AHLC meeting comes at a profoundly important time for the Palestinian Authority. Quartet Representative Tony Blair signals cautious optimism for progress on the political track, and calls for simultaneous - and radical - change on the ground to improve the lives of Palestinians and shore up a sustainable Palestinian economy as the cornerstone of the Palestinian State, living side by side in peace with Israel. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-03-14T06:40:03+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-comments-on-palestinian-prisoners-hu/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-comments-on-palestinian-prisoners-hu/ Read Mr Blair's statement on the situation Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-02-15T17:00:27+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/the-business-of-exporting-from-gaza/ /quartet/news-entry/the-business-of-exporting-from-gaza/ OQR advisers visited Gaza last week to meet with representatives from the infrastructure sector and several key export sectors including furniture, agriculture and garment manufacturing. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-02-11T07:13:29+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tourism-a-success-story/ /quartet/news-entry/tourism-a-success-story/ Defying trends in the region, things just keep getting better for Israeli and Palestinian tourism. This is testament to the unique cultural and religious heritage that this area has to offer, and highlights tourism as a valuable and reasonably resilient sector for both economies. Office of the Quartet Representative 2013-01-09T13:37:50+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/towards-better-sanitation-services-in-gaza/ /quartet/news-entry/towards-better-sanitation-services-in-gaza/ On 9th December 2012 Mundhar Shublak, Director-General of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), was joined by German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Mr Dirk Niebel and CMWU’s Chairman of the Board Dr Maged Abu Ramadan to re-open the Sheikh Ajlenn waste-water treatment plant in the Gaza Strip, following completion of badly-needed rehabilitation works. Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-12-31T08:07:31+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-statements-on-israeli-settlement-construction/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-statements-on-israeli-settlement-construction/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair affirms support for American and E4 statements on Israeli plans to accelerate settlement construction in E-1 and in Jerusalem Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-12-20T10:05:44+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/doing-business-in-east-jerusalem/ /quartet/news-entry/doing-business-in-east-jerusalem/ The East Jerusalem Business Development Forum held on Thursday 13th December was a real success. For the local business leaders who made it happen, residents of East Jerusalem, and those in the international community who supported it, the event marks an important step forward in efforts to promote sustainable economic development, improve living conditions and send out a message of hope and opportunity across Jerusalem. Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-12-19T12:52:31+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/progress-on-containerization-of-trade-at-allenby/ /quartet/news-entry/progress-on-containerization-of-trade-at-allenby/ Progress continues to be encouraging. Since Mr Blair’s visit to the bridge, the Dutch government released a call for tenders for the scanner. Tenders have now closed and are being evaluated. In the past week two Israeli Ministries have committed to funding infrastructure developments that will house the scanner and support the container operation. Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-12-13T10:24:17+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-weve-got-to-keep-pushing-for-peace/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-weve-got-to-keep-pushing-for-peace/ Appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Quartet Representative Tony Blair talks about the need to keep on pushing for Middle East peace. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-12-04T10:00:09+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-empowering-the-palestinian-private-sector-is-vital/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-empowering-the-palestinian-private-sector-is-vital/ Quartet Representative visits Allenby Bridge project to boost trade with Jordan, in support of the Palestinian Authority’s development agenda Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-10-21T16:43:41+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-reinvigorating-palestinian-economic-growth-and-institution-buil/ /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-reinvigorating-palestinian-economic-growth-and-institution-buil/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair said: "Looking ahead to 2013 and given the numerous uncertainties in the region, it is profoundly important to maintain momentum behind the state-building efforts of the PNA, in both economic and political terms." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-09-22T16:14:21+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/north-jericho-road-block-lifted/ /quartet/news-entry/north-jericho-road-block-lifted/ On 19 July 2012, the Israeli army removed a road block on the main northern entrance to Jericho city. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-07-27T06:53:48+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-agenda-in-support-of-palestinian-economic-sustainability-and-in/ /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-agenda-in-support-of-palestinian-economic-sustainability-and-in/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair said: "The goal of this development agenda, again, is to catalyse significant economic change on the ground to give greater oxygen to the political negotiation process. So the ‘ground-up’ economic agenda will continue to provide critical support to the ‘top-down’ political process." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-03-21T11:46:13+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/oqr-facilitates-agreements-to-boost-palestinian-trade/ /quartet/news-entry/oqr-facilitates-agreements-to-boost-palestinian-trade/ Quartet Representative, Tony Blair said: “This agreement is the result of extensive technical discussion between my office, the Palestinian Authority and the Governments of Israel and Jordan, and will have a real impact on the income of local businesses and producers. Over time, I hope this will also allow access to the Israeli and West Bank markets for Gazan products.” Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-02-27T16:36:19+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/israeli-and-palestinian-negotiators-hold-their-first-meeting/ /quartet/news-entry/israeli-and-palestinian-negotiators-hold-their-first-meeting/ The two sides also met with Quartet Representative Tony Blair and the Quartet Envoys. The Jordanian Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere and "the important thing is the two sides have met face to face." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2012-01-03T19:27:07+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-political-leadership-essential-to-conflict-resolution/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-political-leadership-essential-to-conflict-resolution/ BBC Radio 4's Today Programme speaks to Quartet Representative Tony Blair about political leadership, the Arab Spring and Middle East peace Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-12-29T11:57:08+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-envoys-and-tony-blair-urge-parties-to-return-to-direct-talks/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-envoys-and-tony-blair-urge-parties-to-return-to-direct-talks/ The Quartet stressed the important objective of a direct exchange between the Israelis and Palestinians "without delay or preconditions," in a statement issued following today's latest round of meetings. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-12-14T17:45:57+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-welcomes-israeli-release-of-funds-to-palestinians/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-welcomes-israeli-release-of-funds-to-palestinians/ "This is an important decision. I have discussed the importance of a smooth transfer of revenues with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other ministers in the Israeli government on many occasions, as have others in the international community, and have urged him repeatedly to transfer these funds without delay." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-11-30T10:28:39+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-urges-the-israeli-government-to-release-palestinian-funds/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-urges-the-israeli-government-to-release-palestinian-funds/ "The funds are vital for the functioning of the PA and Israel's withholding of these Palestinian funds threatens the salaries of some 180,000 employees, including Palestinian security officials who are working to provide security in the West Bank." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-11-23T14:55:31+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-and-quartet-envoys-meet-with-israeli-and-palestinian-negotiators/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-and-quartet-envoys-meet-with-israeli-and-palestinian-negotiators/ The Parties agreed with the Quartet to come forward with comprehensive proposals on territory and security within three months in the context of our shared commitment to the objective of direct negotiations leading toward an agreement by the end of 2012. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-10-26T11:06:44+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-says-prisoner-exchange-offers-a-moment-of-opportunity/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-says-prisoner-exchange-offers-a-moment-of-opportunity/ "I hope it also offers us a moment of opportunity, not simply in respect of Gaza, where Hamas are presently in charge, but also for a regaining and revival of credibility in a peace process we really need to prioritise..." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-10-18T15:05:52+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-envoys-and-tony-blair-to-meet-negotiators-on-october-26th/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-envoys-and-tony-blair-to-meet-negotiators-on-october-26th/ US State Department spokesman announced the Quartet will be meeting with the parties next week "with the aim to begin preparations and develop an agenda for proceeding in the negotiations." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-10-17T14:51:01+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-to-invite-palestinian-israeli-leaders-to-meet-in-coming-days/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-to-invite-palestinian-israeli-leaders-to-meet-in-coming-days/ Quartet Representative Tony Blair says upcoming meeting will provide us with the opportunity to explore grounds for revived negotiations to take place. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-10-09T18:58:18+00:00