EU's Ashton Sees No Dead End In Israeli-Palestinian Talks

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says she does not believe Israel-Palestinian talks have reached "a dead end."

Ashton's comments on January 26 came after Palestinians said the talks were over after a fifth meeting in just over three weeks between the two sides ended with no progress.

The talks in the Jordanian capital Amman are aimed at exploring ways to return to formal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians which broke down in 2010.

Ashton, speaking after meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas in Amman, said Abbas was "thinking carefully about how to move forward."

Ashton, who met with Israeli leaders earlier this week, said she remained hopeful that "with goodwill, [the two sides] can continue to talk."

compiled from agency reports