The US Assistant Secretary of State noted that the estimated date for talks between the two countries is October 14. • "The talks are not intended to establish diplomatic relations."
The direct talks between Israel and Lebanon on the maritime border between them will begin immediately after Sukkot.
US Assistant Secretary of State David Shenkar said in a telephone briefing to reporters: "The opening date will probably be October 14."
Shenkar, who has mediated between the parties in recent years, added that he does not know what made the Lebanese agree to start talks with Israel right now.
"It didn't happen overnight, but over a period of three years because there was a lot of sensitivity on both sides. There was a lot of effort, even from my predecessor, David Sutterfield."
He added that the talks were not intended to lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Lebanon, since this is a "completely different route."
He added that the discussions would deal with the dispute over areas 8,9,10 in an area of a total size of about 550 square kilometers. "This is only the beginning of the road to Israel and Lebanon.
It took us three years just for them to start negotiations.
But I hope they reach results quickly. "
As will be recalled, after about two years of indirect contacts mediated by the United States, the State of Israel and the State of Lebanon reached an agreement on the conditions for opening direct negotiations regarding the determination of the maritime border in the economic waters between them.
The talks, led by Israel Energy Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz, will be mediated by the United States and hosted by the United Nations.
Photo: IDF Spokesman
At a meeting held about two weeks ago, chaired by the Minister of Energy and senior officials of his ministry, and attended by officials from the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of Justice and Defense, Israel's terms for negotiations were agreed.
The breakthrough between the two countries was recorded shortly afterwards, during his last visit to the area by Assistant US Secretary of State David Shenkar.
Energy Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz said: "I thank US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his staff and emissaries David Sutterfield and David Shenkar for their mobilization.
We look forward to the opening of direct negotiations in the near future. Our goal is to end the dispute over the demarcation of economic water between Israel and Lebanon in order to help develop natural resources for the benefit of all peoples in the region. I thank Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his office and Meir Ben Shabbat and the staff. To those who follow the process closely.
"American mediation and the technical framework of the negotiations were agreed upon in the opinion and satisfaction of the State of Israel."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement welcoming the move.
The statement read: "The United States congratulates the governments of Israel and Lebanon on the decision to begin talks on their maritime border. The historic agreement between the two sides is a three-year achievement of diplomatic work by Ambassador David Starfield and Deputy Secretary of State David Shenkar."
According to Pompeo, the agreement between the parties has the potential to bring stability, security and prosperity for the citizens of the two countries.
Pompeo claimed that the two countries had asked the United States to mediate between the parties throughout the process.
Pompeo even said talks would begin soon in Lebanon under the auspices of the United Nations.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi commented on the social network Twitter, where he wrote: "I would like to thank the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and his staff for their dedicated efforts that led to the beginning of direct talks to mark the sea line between Israel and Lebanon."
"This is an important step that came after three years of diplomatic contacts and would not have been possible without the mediation of the United States. I believe that the success of the talks will significantly affect the stability of the region and promote the prosperity of the citizens of Israel and Lebanon. I thank Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz for the successful cooperation between The Ministries are promoting the issue, "the Foreign Minister wrote.
Lebanese parliament speaker Nabiya Berry also announced an indirect talks with Israel over the border issue, the Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, reported. "The southern stamps will be drawn based on the committee's positive experience in 1996." , Said Parliament Speaker Berry, according to the report.
