US Secretary of State John Kerry is expressing optimism about the potential re-start of stalled peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Kerry's comments have come ahead of a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Washington.
"Both parties indicate they would like to find a way to go forward with the talks. We obviously want to see that happen. We think it's important for them and for the region."
For his part, Lieberman says Israel remains committed to securing a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.
"Now we are in the midst of a very crucial process and I think that you and us have the same, same desire to achieve comprehensive solution to achieve final status agreement. We're willing to sacrifice a lot for this goal. We've proved our desire to achieve real peace with our neighbors."
The meeting between Kerry and Lieberman comes after the U.S.-brokered peace talks ran into a stalemate last week when both sides accused one-another of "unhelpful unilateral actions."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed documents to apply for membership to 15 United Nations agencies last week.
The Israeli government has refused to release a fourth and final tranche of 26-Palestinian prisoners as part of the original deal to reopen the bilateral talks negotiated last year.
The current round of talks, which began last year after a 3-year hiatus, has so-far failed to produce any tangible results.
