On Tuesday the UN Security Council endorsed the Road Map for Peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

- I welcome the Security Council’s unanimous decision to endorse the Road Map for Peace between Israel and the Palestinians, said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

- Norway has been wholeheartedly supporting this peace plan, which both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have accepted. I hope that the Security Council’s endorsement will give new momentum to the implementation of the plan, said Mr Petersen.

- Now it is essential that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities resume the implementation of their obligations under the Road Map as soon as possible. In this connection it is important to establish an international monitoring mechanism that can help the parties implement the plan effectively, said the Foreign Minister.