30 April 2003
Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed the presentation of the Roadmap for Middle East peaceto the Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Read the statement in full
I welcome the fact that the Roadmap for peace has today been presented to the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. I would pay tribute to the Quartet, and to key governments in the region, for their efforts that have led to this.
The Roadmap provides the route to a permanent two-state solution. It includes clear phases, timelines and benchmarks. It places clear but fair obligations on both sides to achieve a final and comprehensive settlement by 2005.
There is now a real opportunity for both sides to work, with the strong support of the international community, to achieve a just and lasting settlement.
I do not underestimate the commitment it will require. But the prize is enormous: peace and security for Israel living side by side with an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state.
So I hope that both sides will respond positively and start implementing the Roadmap without delay.
My government remains ready to do whatever it can to help reach a settlement.
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