Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said yesterday that the peace talk between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is important for Israel's long-term national and security interests.

The dialogue also "allows the Palestinians to effect the necessary changes towards carrying out any future arrangement," Livni told the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch.

The minister stressed that Israel would continue to conduct the process based on Israel's long-term national and security interests, according to a statement of Israeli Foreign Minister's Bureau.

"The world must support the process and not expect Israel to take shortcuts that would harm its ability to meet its needs," she added.

Livni is scheduled to attend the meeting of the International Quartet for the Mideast peace at the beginning of next week, marking one year since the Annapolis Summit.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner are expected to attend the meeting.

Former Palestinian Prime Minister and negotiation team chief Ahmed Qureia will represent the Palestinian side.