UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Israeli President have discussed the recent launch of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks, with the United Nations chief stressing that negotiations are the only way to resolve all final status issues and achieve peace in the Middle East. According to a statement of UN , received by AIR today, Mr. Ban and Shimon Peres who met in New York, also spoke of the need to maintain calm on the ground and to create a conducive environment for successful negotiations. Mr. Ban also stressed the significance of extending and expanding the Israeli Government’s settlement restraint. To review progress in the talks and in the overall search for peace in the region, Mr. Ban will host a meeting of the Quartet principals tomorrow in New York. According to media reports the Quartet is expected to call for an extension of the Israeli government's settlement moratorium in the West Bank. The Quartet comprises the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.