Israel and the Palestinians have had high-level diplomatic talks in Jerusalem.
The meeting came after the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, lifted a ban on such contacts in response to a lull in Palestinian militant attacks.
The reduction in attacks followed the deployment of Palestinian security forces along the Gaza-Israel border last week.
Israel had instigated the ban on talks after six Israelis were killed in an ambush on the border with the Gaza Strip earlier this month.
Israel has also said it will stop the assassination of militants.
In a further sign of improving relations between both sides, the Palestinian minister Saeb Erekat said that talks will reconvene next week in preparation for the first summit between Mr Sharon and the new Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
