Major powers drawing up framework for Mideast talks

Major powers are working on a statement to set the basis for direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the European Union's foreign policy chief told EU foreign ministers on Thursday. High Representative Catherine Ashton said in a letter the statement would be issued early next week, if both parties agreed to proceed to direct talks, and negotiations launched in August. 

The EU works with the United States, Russia and the United Nations in a "Quartet" to promote a Middle East peace treaty. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas indicated on Monday he could go to direct talks, provided they were based on a March 19 statement by the Quartet. (Reuters)