NEW YORK, September 20, 2005, (WAFA)- The Quartet Committee said that the conclusion of disengagement represents an important step toward achieving the two states vision, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.

During a meeting held Tuesday in New York, the Quartet discussed the Gaza Strip (GS) disengagement and the prospects for movement towards peace in the Middle East.

The Quartet also expressed its appreciation for the responsible behaviour of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the Palestinian people for helping maintain a peaceful environment during the evacuation, saying that these significant developments create new opportunities and call for renewed focus on the responsibilities of all parties.

Through the meeting, the Quartet commended continued cooperation between both parties and the U.S. Security Coordinator, General William Ward, on security issues related to the disengagement, welcoming the agreement between Egypt and Israel on security arrangements along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Referring to the Palestinian economy, the Quartet said that it will continue to lead international efforts to support sustainable growth of the Palestinian economy and to strengthen the overall capacity of the PNA to assume its responsibilities through an aggressive pursuit of state building and democratic reform efforts.

"The Quartet reaffirms that coordinated action by the international donor community is crucial for the success of the Quartet Special Envoy's Quick Impact Economic Program, as well as for the longer term three year plan for Palestinian development," the Quartet said.

On the elections, Quartet also welcomed the announcement of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections and upcoming municipal elections.

It called both parties- the Palestinians and Israelis- for renewed action in parallel by both parties on their obligations in accordance with the sequence of the Road Map, and to return to the cooperative agenda reached at Sharm el-Sheikh.

"Both parties are reminded of their obligations under the Road Map to avoid unilateral actions which prejudice final status issues," it added.

Additionally, the Quartet reaffirmed that any final agreement must be reached through negotiation between the parties and that a new Palestinian state must be truly viable with contiguity in the West Bank and connectivity to Gaza.

It expressed its concern that colonies expansion elsewhere must stop, and Israel must remove unauthorized outposts.

The Quartet continued to note with concern the route of the Israeli Apartheid Wall, particularly as it results in the seizing of Palestinian land, cuts off the movement of people and goods, and undermines Palestinians' trust in the Road Map process as it appears to prejudge the final borders of a Palestinian state.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, High Representative for European Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner attended the Quartet meeting.

H.M. (22:37 P) (19:37 GMT)