Significance
Diplomats from 26 countries attended, including US Secretary of State John Kerry and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Its originality lay in the absence of the two protagonists, Israel and the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinians, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), as well as in a clear French intention to put pressure on them and retake the initiative in the Middle East.
Impacts
Owing to vague expectations and minimal US commitment, the conference was not perceived as the major diplomatic breakthrough once hoped for.
The meeting might restart Euro-Mediterranean and possibly French-Arab cooperation on the topic.
In the absence of progress in peace negotiations, the PLO will look to more unilateral measures against Israel in international fora.