To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are considering requesting that the European Union representation in the Middle East quartet be more active in encouraging the resumption of direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel; and whether they have recently made representations to the Government of Israel about delays to such talks. [HL1373]

The EU is an active member of the Middle East quartet. The recent quartet statements of 24 September and 26 June 2009—drafted jointly by quartet members (US, EU, UN and Russia)—stressed the need for the prompt resumption of peace negotiations.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 8 December 2009 underlined the need for “reinvigorated quartet engagement” on the peace process.

The UK permanent representative on the UN Security Council (UNSC) called publicly for the rapid resumption of peace negotiations at the UNSC open debate on the situation in the Middle East on 27 January 2010.