Israeli Foreign Minister Mr Shimon Peres today met with a team of foreign diplomats tasked with advising Palestinian officials on the reforms expected of them by the international community.
"This was a first contact to examine what Israel could do to help things move forward," a high-ranking Israeli official said after the Tel Aviv meeting.
The delegation representing the "quartet" of diplomatic powers seeking peace in the Middle East - United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia - was led by US ambassador to Israel Mr Dan Kurtzer, the source said.
The special Middle East envoys for the EU and Russia, Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos and Mr Andrei Vdovin, also took part.
On the Israeli side, Mr Peres was accompanied by hardline Likud minister without portfolio Mr Danny Naveh, West Bank coordinator Major General Amos Gilad, and finance ministry director-general Mr Ohad Marani.
Israeli public radio said Mr Peres and the delegation of diplomats also discussed the measures Israel was planning to take to loosen its rule over the Palestinian civilian population.
Israel also announced today it had agreed to release frozen assets owed by Israel to the Palestinians, renouncing its initial demand for a mechanism to be set up before any payment was made.
AFP