Erekat expects soon preparations for next Abbas-Olmert meeting

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Saturday no contacts have been carried out for another meeting between President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the Voice of Palestine radio reported.

However, preparations to hold the new summit meeting are likely to begin in a few days, which will be bilateral, Erekat was also quoted as saying.

Abbas and Olmert last met in a three-way summit with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem on Feb. 19.

As observers see the summit did not meet expectations, Rice promised to return to the region soon. But Erekat revealed the next meeting will be bilateral, said the radio.

Erekat spoke to the Voice of Palestine from Paris as he is accompanying Abbas in a European tour to promote a deal between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah to form a unity government.

Abbas' visits to the European countries also aim at convincing them to resume funding the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Western donors cut off direct aid to the Palestinians when Hamas, which took office nearly one year ago, refused to recognize Israel.

"Europe considers the formation of a national unity government a step forward but the want to see the government's program," Erekat said.

He added the Europeans expect the government's agenda to meet demands of the Middle East Quartet that asked Hamas to recognize the Jewish state, renounce violence and abide by peace deals.

Source: Xinhua