Palestinian officials visited Israel's parliament for the first time ever on Wednesday to meet their Israeli counterparts, as the two sides moved toward peace negotiations.

The Knesset raised the Palestinian flag during a meeting among MPs, officials and businessmen from both sides, an AFP correspondent said.

"The meeting, which was attended by us on behalf of president Mahmud Abbas, was positive," said the head of the Palestinian delegation and member Abbas's Fatah party Mohammed al-Madani.

"We talked about how to make the peace process succeed, and about the Arab initiative and the dangers of the process collapsing," he told AFP.

The meeting took place between current and former Israeli MPs, including members of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and secular centrist Yesh Atid, which is in the ruling coalition.

Israeli Labour Party member Hilik Bar said "this meeting is to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abbas, and the negotiators in Washington."

Negotiators from both sides met for the first time in three years in Washington on Monday, embarking on talks they hope will lead to an agreement within nine months.

Final Israeli, Palestinian deal 'within reach': EU's Ashton
Brussels (AFP) July 31, 2013 –

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators' stated goal of reaching a comprehensive peace deal inside nine months is realistic, the European Union's top diplomat said Wednesday, painting the bloc as a "reliable friend" to both sides.

"I firmly believe that a final end to this conflict is within reach," Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

"I call on all those who wish to see a negotiated solution to support those now engaged in talks so that the opportunity for peace can be seized."

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, who met in Washington this week for the first direct talks in three years, on Tuesday set an ambitious goal to reach an elusive peace deal within nine months.

"Both Israel and the Palestinians have a reliable friend and ally in the European Union," said Ashton.

"The resumption of talks opens new doors both for developing further the EU's contribution to peace and security in the region and for deepening our relations with both parties.

"We will remain fully engaged with both parties and will make every effort, together with our partners, to ensure that negotiations succeed," she added.

The last direct talks between the two parties collapsed in September 2010 amid continued Israeli settlement building.