The diplomatic quartet on Middle East peace talks agreed on Friday on a plan for both Israeli and the Palestinians to resume negotiations for a comprehensive settlement "without delay or preconditions." Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative, said following a quartet meeting at UN headquarters that the plan involves the return to negotiations within four weeks by the two sides. The quartet expects the two sides, in the second step, to come up with "comprehensive proposals within three months on security and borders and to have made substantial progress within six months." She said a comprehensive settlement should be reached within one year. It said a donor conference will be held to give full and substantive support to the Palestinian Authority, aimed at state-building actions. It did not say when the conference will be held.
