TNN & QNA
Doha
The UK Foreign Secretary along with the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy have strongly affirmed their support for the mediation efforts led by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the US to reach a ceasefire agreement and release the detainees, expressing their satisfaction with the constructive approach adopted so far.
This came in a joint statement issued by the British government following an update on the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza provided to UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani.
The joint statement read: "We, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germanyand Italy, strongly support the ongoing mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and are encouraged by the constructive approach adopted so far.”
"We welcome the fact that technical work will continue over the coming days, including on both the humanitarian provisions and the specific arrangements relating to hostages and detainees, and that senior officials will then reconvene before the end of next week with the aim of concluding the agreement,” the statement said further.
"We urge all parties to continue to engage positively and flexibly in this process. We underline the importance of avoiding any escalatory action in the region which would undermine the prospect for peace. There is too much at stake.”
Supported by Qatar and Egypt, the US presented a proposal to both parties on Friday that aims to bridge gaps between them, in line with the principles set forth by President Biden on May 31, 2024, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735. This proposal builds on the points of agreement reached over the past week and addresses the remaining gaps in a way that facilitates the swift implementation of the agreement.