Olmert-Abbas meeting touches on "fundamental issues"
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, Aug. 28, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
David Baker told Xinhua that during the "very constructive" meeting, the two spoke about "fundamental issues that were necessary to bring about the establishment of two states for people."
Baker made the remarks shortly after Olmert-Abbas meeting, the second of its kind in one month, ended in Olmert's residence inJerusalem after nearly three hours discussion.
The two leaders also discussed the security and economic cooperation between Israel and Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as well as ways to prevent weapon smuggling from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, which was taken over by Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement in June, said Baker.
Abbas, for his part, raised issues of releasing Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel and dismantling the roadblocks in the West Bank, he said, adding that Israel is considering those issues. n addition, the two sides have agreed to launch a join economical council and a ceremony will be held in Tel Aviv in October to celebrate the establishment of the council, Baker said. Olmert was quoted as saying that he will instruct his ministers to renew the cooperation with their Palestinian counterparts at a professional level.
The prime minister also thanked Abbas for PNA security forces' rescue operation for an Israeli army officer who accidentally entered the West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, according to Baker. Under tight security, Abbas' motorcade arrived at Olmert's residence shortly after 12:00 (0900 GMT) on Tuesday for the summit. It is the second face-to-face meeting of the two leaders this month. They last met in the West Bank city of Jericho on August 6.Olmert and Abbas are expected to meet again before RoshHashanah, the Jewish New Year holiday which will fall on September 13.
Ahead of Olmert-Abbas meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister TzipiLivni and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad met on Monday evening.
According to Israeli media, the two agreed to promote economic,social and environmental cooperation between Israel and the PNA. The cooperation would be realized in meetings between parallel committees and organizations as well as direct contact between municipality leaders on joint projects.
Abbas, Olmert hold talks in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived at Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday for a summit talks ahead of a U.S.-sponsored peace conference in this fall.
Under tight security, Abbas' motorcade arrived at Olmert's residence shortly after 12:00 (0900 GMT).
Abbas, Olmert to meet to push forward peace efforts
JERUSALEM, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet on Tuesday in Jerusalem to try push forward peace efforts, official sources from both sides said late Sunday.
Media reports quoted an Israeli government official as saying that during the coming summit meeting, Olmert and Abbas, along with their senior advisors, would discuss progress in ongoing peace efforts, while trying to build on matters discussed in previous meetings.