UN, EU, Russia back Obama's Mideast 'vision'

The United Nations, European Union and Russia are strongly backing U.S. President Barack Obama's "vision" for achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

They agree that Obama's starting point — borders for Palestine, security for Israel — provides "a foundation for Israelis and Palestinians to reach a final resolution of the conflict through serious and substantive negotiations and mutual agreement on all core issues."

The U.N., EU, and Russia, along with the United States, comprise the Quartet of international mediators trying to promote a Mideast peace settlement.

A Quartet statement issued Friday appealed again to Israel and the Palestinians "to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct negotiations and mutual agreement on all core issues."