  Abbas: Palestine willing to resume peace talks with Israel October 4, 2011 - 12:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas discussed with U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta the efforts of resuming the stalled Israeli- Palestinian peace negotiations. "The Palestinians are willing to resume the direct peace talks with Israel only if the latter abides by halting settlement and accepts the two-state solution," the Palestinian state-run news agency "Wafa" quoted Abbas as saying in the aftermath of his meeting with Panetta in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The principle of two-state solution "is an interest to both the Palestinians and Israel, and it has become necessary to reach the solution of the two states," Panetta said, asserting that it is important to find a way to get back to negotiations between the two sides. Panetta arrived earlier on Monday in the region, where he held talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials before he heads for Egypt. The direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians had been stalled for one year after the talks were launched in Washington in September 2010. The talks were halted after Israel's refusal to freeze settlement constructions. In response the Palestinians submitted last month a request to the United Nations demanding a recognition of a full membership of an independent state established on the territories of 1967.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive”  At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments.OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg.151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |
