Abbas (L) and Olmert
Photo: GPO
Olmert: Joint declaration with PA won’t require Knesset's approval
Prime minister lowers expectations ahead of Annapolis peace conference, says 'the meeting itself is what's important; main goal is to solidify the direct talks with the Palestinians'
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the cabinet Sunday that any agreement reached with the Palestinians during the Knesset's winter session would not require the plenum's approval.
The prime minister said there was a possibility of formulating a joint declaration, rather than a declaration of principles, with the Palestinian Authority.
However, he tried to lower expectations ahead of the US-brokered peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, saying "the declaration is not a prerequisite for holding the conference. The meeting itself is what's important.
"Our main goal is to solidify the direct talks (between the sides)," Olmert told the ministers.
The prime minister lauded Mahmoud Abbas and referred to the recent meetings he had held with the Palestinian president as "brainstorming."
According to Olmert, whop reiterated his commitment to the Road Map, the Palestinian leadership "is committed to compromise and to fighting terror."
The prime minister said the government must work toward changing the system of government and drafting a constitution "in order to stabilize the political system".
The Knesset's winter session is scheduled to open on Monday.
