http://tonyblairoffice.org en Copyright 2012 2012-05-09T14:58:14+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 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-urges-us-congress-to-release-funds-for-pa/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-urges-us-congress-to-release-funds-for-pa/ Even if lawmakers are opposed to the Palestinian UN bid, this is not the right way to respond to it because it’s harming Palestinian people and it’s harming the very things that over the past few years we’ve been most strongly supportive of. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-10-03T22:44:53+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-sets-out-timetable-for-resumption-of-credible-negotiations/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-sets-out-timetable-for-resumption-of-credible-negotiations/ The Quartet reiterated its urgent appeal to the parties to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct bilateral Israeli-Palestinian negotiations without delay or preconditions and sets out a timeline to achieve this. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-23T17:00:11+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-speaks-to-bbc-radio-4/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-speaks-to-bbc-radio-4/ Tony Blair tells the BBC the Quartet is not trying to stop President Abbas making an application on Friday, saying he understood the "frustration" of the Palestinians over the peace deadlock Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-23T11:16:19+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-we-need-a-credible-framework-for-middle-east-peace-negotiations/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-we-need-a-credible-framework-for-middle-east-peace-negotiations/ VIDEO: Quartet Representative speaks to Bloomberg's Charlie Rose about Palestinian UN membership and the need to get negotiations back on track. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-21T19:22:28+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-addresses-the-ad-hoc-liaison-committee-at/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-addresses-the-ad-hoc-liaison-committee-at/ "I hope very much in the course of the next few days we can find a way through this issue in order to allow the aspirations that are yet to be finally fulfilled in the way that we want to see them for the Palestinian people as well." Read the full speech here. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-18T23:44:01+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-restarting-peace-negotiations-key-to-advancing-palestinian-/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-restarting-peace-negotiations-key-to-advancing-palestinian-/ VIDEO: Quartet Representative speaks to ABC’s Christiane Amanpour at the start of UN General Assembly Week Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-18T19:08:17+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-oqr-action-in-support-of-palestinian-authority-state-building/ /quartet/news-entry/ahlc-report-oqr-action-in-support-of-palestinian-authority-state-building/ Published ahead of UN General Assembly week, read the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee report on the work of Quartet Representative Tony Blair and the OQR Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-16T12:31:04+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-only-resolution-will-come-through-negotiations/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-only-resolution-will-come-through-negotiations/ Quartet Representative tells Regional Cooperation Conference that economic solutions are not substitutes for political ones, which is why we need a return to talks between the parties Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-09-05T08:46:33+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-statement-on-the-attacks-in-southern-israel/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-statement-on-the-attacks-in-southern-israel/ The Quartet condemns the attacks in southern Israel on 18 August, 2011 and all acts of terrorism in the strongest terms. These are cowardly acts of premeditated terrorism. Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-08-20T16:16:41+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-today-condemned-unreservedly-the-attacks-in-southern-israel/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-today-condemned-unreservedly-the-attacks-in-southern-israel/ "I condemn unreservedly today's brutal attacks in Southern Israel, as I do all such acts of terror. The targeting of innocent civilians can never be justified. I send my condolences to the victims, and their friends and families, and I hope the perpetrators of these appalling incidents will be quickly brought to justice." Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-08-18T10:09:00+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-expresses-concern-at-israels-recent-announcements-to-advance-planni/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-expresses-concern-at-israels-recent-announcements-to-advance-planni/ Unilateral action by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations which underscores the urgent need for the parties to resume serious and substantive talks. Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-08-16T14:17:33+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/ramadan-easing-measures-announced-by-cogat/ /quartet/news-entry/ramadan-easing-measures-announced-by-cogat/ OQR is pleased that the special needs of Palestinian Muslims will be met during this special time and encourages the Government of Israel to consider extending such measures beyond the holiday period. Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-08-10T03:29:16+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/office-of-quartet-representative-supports-the-union-of-stone-marble/ /quartet/news-entry/office-of-quartet-representative-supports-the-union-of-stone-marble/ The Office of the Quartet Representative has an ongoing sectoral effort to assist the stone & marble industry on the West Bank as part of OQR’s broader agenda for both the private sector and Area C. Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-07-31T06:33:35+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-rep-tony-blair-discusses-middle-east-with-australian-pm/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-rep-tony-blair-discusses-middle-east-with-australian-pm/ Speaking at a joint press conference after their meeting, Tony Blair said the priority the Quartet was working on was "to try and see if we can establish some principles of guidance to renew the negotiation. We know what the issues are: borders, security, Jerusalem, refugees are the key issues." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-07-26T07:50:56+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-holds-talks-in-the-region-following-latest-quartet-meeting/ /quartet/news-entry/tony-blair-holds-talks-in-the-region-following-latest-quartet-meeting/ "What we are trying to do is take President Obama's speech and turn it into a framework of guidance for those negotiations so the Israelis and Palestinians both know if they sit back around that table again then they've got a chance of reaching a deal." Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-07-14T08:26:15+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-meet-in-washington-dc-to-promote-direct-negotiations/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-meet-in-washington-dc-to-promote-direct-negotiations/ Quartet principals meet with Quartet Representative Tony Blair to repeat their support for the President Obama's speech of May 19th and reiterate the urgent need to resume direct negotiations without delay Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-07-11T09:18:46+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-statement-on-the-situation-in-gaza/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-statement-on-the-situation-in-gaza/ The Quartet will work, including through UN and Quartet Representative Tony Blair, with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, donors and the international community to ensure that the needs of the people of Gaza are being met. Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-07-02T03:33:55+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-profiled-in-bbc-politics-show-special/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-profiled-in-bbc-politics-show-special/ The BBC's Jon Sopel spent part of this week in Jerusalem with Tony Blair for an interview that was broadcast on BBC One and BBC World last Sunday Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-06-26T00:30:07+00:00 /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-visits-nazareth-and-jenin-travelling-alon/ /quartet/news-entry/quartet-representative-tony-blair-visits-nazareth-and-jenin-travelling-alon/ Tony Blair was joined by Israeli, Palestinian and foreign tourism entrepreneurs to explore the significant social and economic potential of tourism to the Holy Land, and discussed ways to further improve prospects for the tourism sector. Office of Tony Blair, Office of the Quartet Representative 2011-06-20T14:01:07+00:00