OREANDA-NEWS. June 28, 2010. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov held talks on June 27, in Moscow, with Naha Mint Hamdi Ould Mouknass, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mauritania, who was in Russia on a working visit.

Naha Mint Mouknass thanked Russia for supporting the efforts of Mauritania's leaders for returning the situation in the country to a constitutional course.

The main focus of the discussion was on topics of bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in the traditional sphere – marine fisheries – and opportunities for collaboration in other areas.

Both sides expressed the desire to intensify political dialogue between Moscow and Nouakchott, and to give impetus to the development of bilateral relations in a multidimensional way.

Lavrov and Mouknass exchanged views on topical issues of the regional and international agenda, in particular, the situation in Africa, the situation in the Western Sahara settlement, and Palestinian- Israeli affairs.

The Mauritanian minister affirmed that on the question of Western Sahara, Mauritania has traditionally adhered to strict neutrality. Our side emphasized that Russia has consistently advocated the continuation of the search for mutually acceptable solutions for the parties under UN auspices.

Regarding the Middle East peace process the need was underlined for the proximity talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis to evolve into a direct dialogue to achieve mutually acceptable solutions to all final status issues on the universally recognized international legal basis.

In discussing other problems of the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear program, the parties highlighted the need to resolve them solely by politico-diplomatic means, without the use of force.