The US mediator in a long-running maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon stated on Friday that talks to resolve the problem were making “really excellent progress.”

The two countries are currently negotiating a common marine border, which would assist identify which oil and gas resources belong to which country and pave the path for greater development.

Amos Hochstein landed in Lebanon early Friday for a flurry of meetings with top leaders, including the president, prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker of parliament, and security personnel.

“I believe we are making good progress,” Hochstein said after meeting with President Michel Aoun, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, and General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim.

He also expressed optimism that an agreement will be achieved soon.

Hochstein was last in Beirut in late July for discussions with Lebanese officials, and he expressed his desire to return to the region “to finalize the arrangements.”

A senior Israeli source told Reuters at the time that the government would propose a new Israeli proposal that “would allow the Lebanese to utilize the gas deposits in the disputed area while protecting Israel’s economic rights.”

According to a Lebanese official at the time, the plan would allow Lebanon to investigate the entire Qana Prospect, an area with the potential to contain hydrocarbons that extends beyond Line 23.