Sarkozy, Netanyahu hold talks over Middle East peace process

PARIS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks in Paris on Wednesday over bilateral ties and the restart of the peace process in Middle East.

The Elysee Palace issued a brief joint statement after the two leaders' nearly-two-hour meeting in the Palace in the evening, which didn't mention the Jewish settlement issue.

"The two leaders discussed principal international questions, especially the ways to re-launch the peace process in Middle East without delay," the statement said.

The two agreed to work toward the above goal and keep close contact over the issue, the statement added, but failed to outline any concrete plan.

In the statement, Sarkozy's office also noted the Iran nuclear issue needs continuous concern.

On the eve of the meeting, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stated that Israel should "freeze" its settlement expansion in the West Bank, which has seriously undermined the Palestinian confidence in the peace talks.

According to Kouchner's speech via France Inter radio, there are "real different political opinions" between Sarkozy and Netanyahu.