US welcomes Jordan announcement to host Israeli-Palestinian talks

The United States has welcomed an announcement from the Jordanian government it would host two meetings on Wednesday to take the Middle East peace process forward, according to the US State Department. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a statement supported "this positive development," said: "I applaud the efforts of the King  Abdullah II  and Foreign Minister Judeh to bring the parties together and encourage them to approach these meetings constructively." Clinton hoped that, "This direct exchange can help move us forward on the pathway proposed by the Quartet," noting, "Foreign Minister Judeh will host two meetings on Jan. 3, one with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators and the Quartet envoys, and a second meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives." "When I met with the other Quartet principals on Sept. 23rd we put forward a framework for resuming direct negotiations between the parties," said Clinton, accepting the fact that, "progress toward this goal would not be easy so it is essential that both sides take advantage of this opportunity. Stressing the need for "a lasting peace is more urgent than ever," Secretary Clinton cautioned, "The status quo is not sustainable and the parties must act boldly to advance the cause of peace." The Quartet is composed of the United States, United Nations,European Union and Russia.