SG/SM/7575

SECRETARY-GENERAL GRATIFIED BY PROGRESS MADE AT PARIS MIDDLE EAST PEACE MEETING

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

French President Jacques Chirac invited the Secretary-General to join him in consultations this evening with the United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and the President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat. They examined the steps needed to break the cycle of violence and resume the negotiations for a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East.

The Secretary-General is gratified at the progress made and that the discussions will continue in Egypt. He is ready to do whatever he can to facilitate the implementation of any agreement which may be reached by the parties.

He will continue to stay in close contact with the parties and other key players.

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United Nations