OREANDA-NEWS. April 9, 2009. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov on April 6 met with the Head of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmoud Abbas, who is in Moscow on a working visit.

The Russian side emphasized the readiness to help surmount the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation for the sake of stabilizing the situation and resuming the negotiation process as soon as possible along with mobilizing regional and international efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on consideration for the interests of all the peoples living in the region.

The PNA Head presented the concrete ideas and considerations of the Palestinian side in the interests of continuing the peace process in the region, emphasizing, in particular, that the Palestinian leadership is ready for dialogue with the new government of Israel, a dialogue based on the generally accepted norms of international law, free of ideological prejudices and unencumbered by unilateral steps, particularly settlement activities in the occupied territories.

During the conversation a common concern was expressed over the lingering tension around Gaza, pointing out the necessity of the fulfillment by the sides of the relevant provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1860 and the cessation of terrorist manifestations, including rocket fire at Israeli territory, and of the disproportionate military actions of Israel leading to civilian suffering and deaths. Special attention was paid to remedying the acute humanitarian situation in Gaza and to lifting the boycott and isolation of the Strip.

The state of affairs in inter-Palestinian relations was thoroughly discussed. The Russian Minister expressed support for the current Egyptian-brokered efforts to restore Palestinian unity, stressing that Palestinian unity is a key factor of solving many problems in the Palestinian territories, advancing toward peace and security and satisfying the Palestinian people’s national aspirations.

Mahmoud Abbas highly assessed the policy of Russia and its practical steps in the work of resolving the situation in the Palestinian territories and restarting movement towards a durable and just peace in the region, and actively backed the consistent Russian efforts in favor of holding an international conference on the Middle East with the participation of all sides concerned and involved.

A detailed exchange of views also took place on Russian-Palestinian bilateral cooperation in different spheres. On behalf of the Palestinian leadership the PNA Head thanked the Russian side for the help and assistance in the most diverse fields.

Taking part in the talks between Lavrov and Abbas was Sergey Stepashin, Chairman of the Audit Chamber of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS). A keen discussion of the prospects for the development of the activities of this oldest Russian nongovernmental organization in the Palestinian territories took place.