Press Release: Declaration by High Representative Catherine Ashton on behalf of the European Union on the launch of proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians

The European Union welcomes the launch of proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians and emphasizes that the proximity talks should lead as soon as possible to the
resumption of direct bilateral negotiations that, within 24 months as specified by the Quartet, resolve all final status issues and lead to the two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.