Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, left, speaks during an Ottawa news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

While U.S. leaders have openly called for Israel to stop the expansion of its settlements in Palestinian territory, Canada's foreign affairs minister avoided the issue after a meeting Monday with the president of the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at his side, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon was asked repeatedly to comment on the issue.

He would only talk about development in new areas, not touching on the provocative issue of growth in existing locations.

"Concerning the development into new areas, we've also thought it wasn't a gesture that was helpful to the advancement of peace," Cannon said.

Canada supports roadmap

Cannon said he hoped Israel and the Palestinians would sit down soon and discuss a peace deal. He said Canada supports the roadmap for peace, a plan drafted by the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia that aims to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The roadmap, drafted in 2002, with details released in 2003, specifies that Israel freeze all Jewish settlements, including settlements that have expanded naturally through population growth.

Last week, American leaders vocally pushed for the halt to settlement activity.

At a meeting in Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama pressed Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to stop settlement expansion. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Cannon's counterpart, echoed the call.

However, on the weekend, Netanyahu said he would allow "natural growth" of the settlements.

Complete freeze necessary: Abbas

Abbas on Monday told reporters that the absence of a complete freeze is hurting the Israel-Palestinian peace dialogue. He said the international community has been clear in advocating a complete freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank and elsewhere.

"Regarding the settlements, there are several United Nations resolutions that prohibit the settlements and it's clear and precise in the roadmap — that the entire world supported — that Israel must stop all forms of settlement including natural growth," Abbas said.

Abbas is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff on Tuesday, and to unveil the Palestinian Authority's new diplomatic headquarters in Ottawa.

Abbas acknowledged that Canada has delivered financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority in the past, and has offered help in developing the territory's weak institutions.

"We thank the Canadian government for the help it has offered and is increasing," Abbas said. "On the political front, we know that Canada supports the roadmap and supports the idea of two states."

He and Cannon both expressed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"This dedication and recommitment to the peace process is something that is welcome not only by this government but we believe by all Canadians, and a recommitment to the two-state solution, which is the Canadian position," Cannon said.

With files from The Canadian Press