UN chief Ban Ki-moon discuss with Shimon Peres settlements

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Israeli President Shimon Peres discussed Monday the recent launch of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks, with the United Nations chief stressing that negotiations are the only way to resolve all final status issues and achieve peace in the Middle East, UN News Center reported. 

Parties also spoke of the need to maintain calm on the ground and to create a conducive environment for successful negotiations, according to Mr Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson. UN chief also stressed the significance of extending and expanding the Israeli Government’s settlement restraint.

Direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine were launched earlier this month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas came together in Washington under the United States’ auspices.

It’s worth mentioning that the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators will on Tuesday call on Israel to extend its settlement moratorium, saying the freeze has had a positive impact as the two sides seek a peace deal within the next year, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.