Italy and a senior Palestinian official on Wednesday reached agreement to foster cultural, scientific and technical cooperation, the Italian foreign ministry announced.
An accord signed by Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and Palestinian international cooperation minister Nabil Shaath is to strengthen cooperation between universities, archives, and libraries. It also covers archeology, training and the exchange of experts and scientists.
A communiqué issued by the ministry said Dini was confident that "Israelis and Palestinians ... will make very big efforts in this crucial phase of the peace talks."
Israel said Wednesday the negotiating teams for a new round of peace talks with the Palestinians would be led by Israeli Public Security Minister Shlomo Ben Ami and Palestinian legislative council speaker Ahmed Qorei.
The negotiators are due to resume talks in the Washington area Monday aimed at reaching a framework accord to end half a century of conflict.
Israel and the Palestinians have set themselves a September target date for a final peace accord.
Dini said sticking to the calendar and signing the final peace agreement was important.
"Israelis and Palestinians must now make a major commitment and both show greatest flexibility and avoid any stiffening" of positions, he said -- ROME (AFP)
