Russia supports Palestine’s efforts to facilitate Middle East settlement process - Putin

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Russia will support the efforts of Palestine’s leadership aimed at facilitating the Middle East peace process, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday at a meeting with head of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas. "I know that you are making strenuous efforts to facilitate the settlement process, and, of course, we will support your efforts aimed at activating everything that is necessary for launching a constructive dialogue," the Russian leader said. Putin noted that regular meetings with Abbas gave an opportunity to hold consultations, make adjustments to the bilateral relations and discuss international issues. "It would be very interesting to discuss with you the regional problems in general and, of course, the bilateral economic relations, considering that we have launched the process (of strengthening them), an intergovernmental commission has been set up," he said. The Kremlin press service noted that during today’s talks the two sides are due to discuss "the whole range of issues of bilateral cooperation as well as topical regional problems." "A detailed exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East is planned. Special attention is to be paid to the issues of the Middle East settlement. In this context, the two leaders will discuss the prospects of resuming the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue on a generally recognized international legal basis," the press service said. Read more