Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday that a timetable is not needed in peace negotiations with the Palestinians since Israel has no interest in prolonging a political standstill, Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
"Deciding on an unrealistic timetable could only creates frustrations and terror...Israel has already proved it is not interested in prolonging a standstill," Livni was quoted as saying at a joint press conference with her visiting German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
She said that any progress achieved in the negotiations would depend on future security arrangements but not a timetable.
Israel and the Palestinians are currently addressing negotiations in the hope of reaching a joint declaration ahead of a U.S.-sponsored international Middle East peace summit later this year.
But the two sides have failed to work out any agreement as the gap between them is huge especially on the core issues, including the borders of a Palestinian state, sovereignty of disputed Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
While the Palestinians voices demands for a detailed timetable for establishment of a Palestinian statehood, Israel insists that the Palestinians should crack down on militants first.
Steinmeier, who is on a regional tour, also met with Palestinian leaders on Thursday.
Source: Xinhua
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