By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas issued a joint statement at the end of their meeting, which says “both leaders wish to contribute to the success of the upcoming international conference.”
The joint statement issued following Olmert and Abbas talks on Monday in Jerusalem. The talks were in an effort to narrow differences over Palestinian statehood ahead of a U.S.-sponsored conference in November.
Olmert and Abbas agreed to set up negotiating teams to work on key issues of disagreement ahead of a U.S.-sponsored Mideast conference this fall, according to the sources.
During the meeting with Abbas, Olmert said he would recommend that Israeli authorities release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners for the upcoming Ramadan holiday, other media reported.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad also participated in the meeting.