Ashton: Israel-Palestine's meetings must continue

The Palestinian Days Newspaper reported that the international Quartet is trying to continue the meetings between Israel and Palestine by offering a "package of procedures" to encourage the Palestinian Authority to extend the meetings for other two months. Meanwhile, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton discussed the matter both with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government during her visit to the region last week. The EU representative said she understands Palestine's reluctance to accept an extension of the meetings; however, she thinks that continuing them is a must. The Palestinian newspaper's sources pointed out that the Quartet committee is working on a package of procedures which is meant to be presented soon both to Palestine and Israel, hoping to amend the situation and extend the meetings. The procedures include releasing detainees, especially those who were detained before 1994; stopping the Israeli incursions and arrests that are currently taking place in the areas under the Palestinian control (Area c); expanding the Palestinian control in (Area c). Palestinian Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rdainah said that "the period until February 4 will be an assessment phase for Palestinians and Arabs  of the meetings held in Oman.