Ashton: Middle East changes give momentum to peace process

Changes in the Middle East have given "even more momentum" to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Supremo Catherine Ashton said Monday, dpa reported.

Summing up a visit to Israel, and the Palestinian territories, she said the recent changes which have overtaken the region have provided the impetus to "the need to try and find a solution that will enable the people of Israel and the people of Palestine to live in peace and security together."

"We have a real opportunity to see what more can be done to take this forward and find ways in which both countries could find the future together," an EU statement quoted her as saying.

During her visit, Ashton met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, as well as Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Ashton ends her latest Middle East trip on Monday with a visit to Jordan.