JERUSALEM -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday stressed the need for a two-state solution in the quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace , a position out of step with the current Israeli government . U.S. envoy George Mitchell says Israel and the United States will remain close allies . It was one of several key issues both sides must emphasize if they are to take advantage of the current `` historic period '' and achieve peace , Peres told visiting U.S. envoy George Mitchell . `` Nobody knows whether it will recur and nobody will forgive himself if we miss the opportunity to make peace , '' Peres said , according to a release from his office . In their meeting , Mitchell said U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking a prompt resumption of the stalled Mideast peace talks and played down tensions that have arisen between the U.S. and Israel in recent days -- particularly over Israel 's recent settlement expansion . `` Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility to meet their obligations under the road map , '' Mitchell said . `` And we all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations . '' The 2003 road map is a peace plan that calls for an independent Palestinian state with a secure border with Israel , and the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who took office in March , has stated his opposition to an independent Palestinian state , and his opposition has cast doubt on the future of the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process . Peres was elected president during the term of Netanyahu 's predecessor , Prime Minister Ehud Olmert , who supported a two-state solution to achieve peace . Peres won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts as foreign minister to secure peace , along with Israeli President Yitzak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat . But in his discussions with Mitchell , the 85-year-old president stood firm on Israel 's current settlement policy , despite the road map 's provision for Israel to halt building settlements in occupied territories . `` There is agreement in Israel regarding the evacuation of illegal outposts and not to build new settlements , '' Peres told Mitchell . `` However , the issue of natural growth in the settlement blocs must continue to be discussed intensively in order to reach agreement . '' In recent days , the Obama administration has repeatedly called on Israel to stop construction of settlements . In a speech to the Muslim world Thursday in Egypt , Obama said his country `` does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements . '' So far , Netanyahu has refused U.S. calls to stop them , and said he will deliver a major speech Sunday in which he will lay out his plan for the country 's peace and security . `` Let me be clear . These are not disagreements among adversaries , '' said Mitchell , who was dispatched to the region to try and kick-start the negotiating process . `` The United States and Israel are and will remain close allies and friends . '' Peres , too , tried to calm the diplomatic waters . `` I think -LRB- Obama 's -RRB- address was extremely sensitive , touching , concerning all sides without trying to play one against the other , paying compliments when it was justified , criticizing when it was necessary in the most honest way , '' he said after last week 's speech . Watch a review of Obama 's visit to the Mideast , Europe '' He told Mitchell that the Obama administration 's focus on `` a single issue ill-serves the wider diplomatic process which is supposed to set the agenda for Israel and its neighbors . '' Mitchell also met Tuesday with Israel 's Defense Minister Ehud Barak , and is expected to meet with Netanyahu , Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman , and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas . Meanwhile , the State Department announced that Mitchell will spend two days in Syria this weekend as part of the Obama administration 's vision for comprehensive peace in the region . Before heading to Damascus , Mitchell plans to visit Ramallah , the seat of the Palestinian Authority , and Lebanon , State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters in Washington . `` This is a very high priority , '' Kelly said . U.S.-Syrian ties have been strained in recent years over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , the war in Iraq and the ongoing political struggle between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in Lebanon . The United States has not had an ambassador in Damascus since 2005 . CNN 's Elise Labott contributed to this report .