Jerusalem  - Israel's President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met for talks Tuesday on strengthening the peace process and the situation in the region.

Abbas became the first Palestinian president ever to be allowed into the presidential residence - Beit Hanasi - in Jerusalem for a meeting described by the daily Yediot Ahronot as "historic."

In a joint press conference, the two called for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit who was abducted some two years ago in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians from the radical Islamic Hamas organization have refused to release him.

Abbas said the Palestinian Authority was against such abductions.

"He must be released in exchange for other prisoners. This is the only way we can reach a solution," Abbas said. Peres meanwhile, said Schalit's capture was a depressing affair for the Israeli public. (dpa)