European Union seeks new format to help revive Middle East peace process

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, talks with European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini during a meeting of EU foreign minister at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday July 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) (The Associated Press)

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, left, talks with European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday July 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) (The Associated Press)

BRUSSELS – The European Union's top diplomat is looking for a fresh formula to revive the now moribund peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Federica Mogherini, who chaired negotiations that led to a deal on Iran's nuclear program, said Monday she's working on fleshing out an idea for "an international support group." The group would build on the existing "quartet" of the EU, United States, Russia and the United Nations.

Right now "there seems to be no peace process at all" between Israel and the Palestinians, Mogherini said.

She said a new regional and international framework is necessary to foster a more positive environment.

Mogherini spoke to reporters after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, who said in a statement that leaving the status quo unchanged "is not an option."