Davutoglu speaks to Kerry about Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke to US Secretary of State John Kerry over the telephone to discuss recent developments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that are expected to resume in the coming days. Sources from the Foreign Ministry say Kerry called the foreign minister on Monday to discuss the details of the long-stalled peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis. The two diplomats also exchanged views on the developments in Egypt and Syria and policies that should be adopted on the two countries, which are going through fragile processes. With Kerry mediating, Israel and the Palestinians have tentatively agreed to resume peace talks after a three-year stalemate. Negotiations had broken down in 2010 over Israel's move to start building settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. US officials said late on Monday that they are now working on a specific date in the coming weeks to bring together Israeli and Palestinian representatives in Washington. Palestinians say talks can only start when it is made clear in advance that they will be about a future state based on the pre-1967 borders, while the Israeli side says public consent should be sought before giving the go-ahead to the peace talks. A possible referendum is on the table in Israel as well as in Palestine as the leader of the territory, Mahmoud Abbas, has also announced that he will seek the consent of his people before starting talks.