Remember the Quartet? It is trying to cling to life

The Middle East Quartet envoys issued a press release last week:

The Envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Nations met in person in Oslo, Norway following an important meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee addressing the Palestinian economic situation. 

The Envoys welcome steps announced by Israel to reach out to the Palestinian Authority and to assist with the fiscal crisis. The Envoys remain deeply concerned by developments in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, including ongoing acts of violence in the West Bank, the advancement of new settlement units, the untenable fiscal crisis within the Palestinian Authority and threats of violence from the Gaza Strip. 

In this context, the Quartet highlights the urgent need for all parties to take additional steps to address these challenges directly through fiscal and other reforms, as well as to avoid unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for peace. 

The Envoys noted the pressing need to address the fragile situation in Gaza -- with the support of all relevant stakeholders, including in the region -- by ensuring continued humanitarian efforts and an easing of access and movement restrictions for people and goods. 

The Quartet Envoys highlighted the urgency of the situation and the importance of taking constructive steps to advance a two-State solution. They further underscored the importance of respect for human rights and the actions of civil society groups. 

Finally, the Envoys agreed to work toward a resolution of the conflict and continue consultations with the parties and key regional actors.

The statement is not saying anything that the EU doesn't say all the time. It touches on all the hot topics and takes the standard line that "everyone knows." 

It seems that once an organization is started, it is nearly impossible for it to disappear.

The Quartet webpage has not been updated since 2016, and it has not published a statement since 2013. Even this press release it not on its own page yet.

While the original Quartet members were quite visible, it appears that they are all now technocrats, working on specific issues like water and energy, looking for a niche. 

Everyone wants to have a piece of Middle East peace.

---

---