UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry spoke Tuesday of the urgency of achieving the two state solution at a UN International Meeting in Turkey.

Serry attended the UN International Meeting in Support of the Israeli Palestinian Peace Process in Istanbul where he read a message from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a statement said, and delivered the keynote address. He talked of the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement based on the vision of the two state solution. "It is too late for yet another partial or incremental approach to peace," he reportedly said.

The UN envoy impressed upon the attendees, including the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davatoglu, the urgency of the current situation in the region. "We are entering what may be our last opportunity to reach a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, based on the two state solution,’ he said, ‘let us all realize that we do not have the luxury of time," Serry said.

Speaking of the dangers to both Palestinians and Israelis should the occupation continue, Serry said real negotiations, responsible actions on the ground, Palestinian state-building, effective crisis prevention and intervention in Gaza and a comprehensive regional approach, were needed to achieve a last solution. He spoke of the importance of the current proximity talks and expressed his support for the state-building efforts of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

The peace envoy set out the current challenges and dangers including the need for a different and more positive strategy for Gaza where the multiple dimensions of the crisis need to be addressed,reporting on progress in the implementation of the UN package of priority projects for Gaza but stressed that much more need to be done.

The PA, he said, has proposed larger and more strategic interventions to address the needs of Gaza, which include immediate major water and sanitation intervention, building 100 schools for UNRWA, starting with at least 15 straight away, health sector's key construction and additional equipment, and a significant increase in the quantity and range of commercial traffic through legitimate crossings, the statement read.

Serry's speech in Istanbul follows his attendance at the UN Security Council in New York last week, where he briefed members on the need to advance political negotiations, while ensuring positive actions on the ground, in Gaza, Jerusalem and elsewhere.