Israelis, Palestinians talking peace

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Peace talks were held Thursday between Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and senior Israeli ministers in Davos, Switzerland.

Various meetings occurred on the side of the World Economic Forum that began Wednesday, Israel's Arutz Sheva network reported.

Soon after arriving, Abbas met with Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh and discussed easing travel restrictions on Palestinians and further financial aid. Thursday, Abbas met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the highest level of face-to-face contact since Abbas met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last month.

Earlier this month, Olmert agreed with Abbas's recommendation that the two conduct negotiations in "back channel" talks in order to avoid media attention.

Olmert and Abbas are next scheduled to meet next month with U.S. officials in Washington.

Thursday, Abbas also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Abbas briefed Merkel on the ongoing peace talks, the Palestinian WAFA news agency reported.