The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas agreed on Friday to try to find a meaningful agreement to take to a planned Middle East meeting, an Israeli official said.

"They agreed to try to reach, as soon as possible, a meaningful statement," Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said after two and a half hours of lunchtime talks between the two at Olmert's official Jerusalem residence.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams tasked with crafting the joint document for a conference scheduled in Annapolis, Maryland later this year also attended the talks, and Eisin described the atmosphere as "very good."