The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, welcomed the successful outcome in Egypt today of the summit meeting between Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon.
He congratulated the two leaders on the success of their efforts to date to maintain calm and urged them to develop the new potential for effective negotiations and a real political breakthrough.
The Taoiseach said: "The objective and the prize [of a successful summit] would be a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, would live side by side in peace and co-operation.
"Ireland, together with its European Union partners, would maintain their unswerving commitment to supporting the efforts of the international community to assist the parties in their continuing quest for peace," he added.
Mr Ahern also welcomed the intensified engagement of the United States in international efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
He said he also looked forward to exploring the opportunities for further action by the United States and the European Union within the Quartet, at the forthcoming EU-US Summit in Brussels on February 22nd.