Russian PM’s meeting with Palestinian leader to focus on economy, culture

MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements during their meeting in Palestine, the head of the Russian government said Friday. "New bilateral documents are planned to be signed on the sidelines of my visit to Palestine," Medvedev said in his article for the Palestinian media. "An even more favorable atmosphere is being created for joint onward progress, bilateral investment, cooperation in industry, agriculture, trade and culture." The Russian prime minister said that Russia and Palestine "pay special attention" to strengthening economic cooperation, that develops despite "unfavorable factors related to a complicated military and political situation, as well as regional instability." Bilateral trade more than doubled last year compared to 2014, Medvedev said. He said that the Palestinian leadership and people have to deal with numerous crises that have been "made worse by the general atmosphere of uncertainty that plagues the Middle East today." "The young state of Palestine, currently undergoing the difficult process of nation-building, is particularly vulnerable," Medvedev said. "I would like to assure you that Russia was and always will be a reliable friend of the Palestinian people, that we will do our best to ensure prosperity and security of your country." Read more