Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert calls for normalization of relations with its Arab neighbors immediately, local media said on Sunday.
In a weekly cabinet meeting, Olmert was quoted as saying that "Israel should strive to normalize relations with its Arab neighbors effective immediately and not in the distant future."
He added that "I applaud the active participation by so many countries in the peace summit, especially of those Arab countries that as of yet do not formally recognize Israel."
Olmert also announced that the joint statement reached at the Annapolis peace summit last week does not hold Israel to a stringent timetable.
"Any settlement reached with the Palestinian side will not only conform to the Road Map and its principles, but will also guarantee Israel's security," said Olmert.
Annapolis conference was held in Nov. 27 to revive peace process between Israel and the Palestinians after years of stall. U.S. President George W. Bush opened the conference with reading a joint statement by the two sides that they agreed "to engage in vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations and make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008."
Source: Xinhua
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