IBSA supports US mediation effort in Mideast

India, Brazil and South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) have supported mediation efforts undertaken by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and resumption of direct final status' negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis to end the long-running conflict in the middle-east, a handout of Indian Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday. "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," the IBSA stated in a joint statement after consultations, as quoted by the Indian foreign ministry release. The joint statement was issued on the Middle East peace process following consultations between the Foreign Ministers of India, Salman Khurshid, Brazil, Antonio Patriota, and South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the ministry stated. The IBSA described the US efforts and resumption of negotiations as an encouraging development. "We hope this renewed effort will lead to the full and overdue realization of a two-state solution based on 1967 borders," the forum stated. The foreign ministers of three nations also expressed their pleasure following the announcement made on 30 July by Secretary Kerry indicating that the Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were committed to reaching a comprehensive peace agreement within nine months. "Such an agreement should culminate in the full realization of an independent Palestinian state. We call on the parties to adhere strictly to this timetable," the forum stated IBSA further stated that the resolution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a prerequisite for building a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East region "We reaffirm that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains an urgent and key issue for the international community, the resolution of which is a prerequisite for building a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East region," the IBSA said in a joint statement.