Egypt on Monday hosted the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Jordan to discuss ways to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, a week before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
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The summit came against the backdrop of secret meetings between Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, which reportedly focused on promoting strategic interests shared by Jerusalem and Amman, including issues pertaining to the security, economic and civil ties between the two.
In a joint statement, the ministers called for practical steps to launch "credible negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians on achieving a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
The ministers said they were ready to work with the US to facilitate negotiations that would lead to "a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region."
"There is a willingness to see a close relationship with the United States on the revival of the peace process that will have to be carried out at some point," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a joint news conference following the meeting.
The Palestinians suffered numerous setbacks under the administration of President Donald Trump and have complained about what they say were pro-Israeli steps from Washington. They have said, however, that they are ready to work with the incoming Biden administration.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with the ministers earlier Monday, according to his office.
The Egyptian leader said the efforts by the four countries are aimed at breaking the deadlock in the Middle East peace process, "taking into account the political changes on the regional and international stages." He was apparently referring to Biden's election and the establishment of ties with Israel by four Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
In the news conference, Le Drian urged Israel and the Palestinians to commit to a solution to the conflict and refrain from taking unilateral measures.
There was no immediate comment from either Israel or the Palestinians.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said last month that the PA was ready to cooperate with the Biden administration, and urged Israel to return to talks based on a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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