Noting that Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains an urgent and key issue for the international community, tripartite grouping IBSA said the resolution of the conflict was a prerequisite for building a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East region.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his counterparts from Brazil, Antonio Patriota, and South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, after consultations, also noted with satisfaction the decision of Israel to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, which is a gesture that contributes to the spirit of cooperation surrounding the negotiations.
"We support the mediation efforts undertaken by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and welcome the announcement of the resumption of direct final status negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.
"This is an encouraging development, one that has the potential for reverting the deadlock and paralysis that have plagued the peace process in recent years. We hope this renewed effort will lead to the full and overdue realisation of a two-state solution based on 1967 borders," it said.
It said that such an agreement should culminate in the full realisation of an independent Palestinian State.
"We call on the parties to adhere strictly to this timetable," the statement said.