Russia, PA Official Discuss New ME Talks

Local Editor

Russia received the chief Palestinian negotiator with the Zionist entity on Thursday, urging the two sides to strengthen trust to build stability in the recently resumed Middle East peace negotiations.

"We understand that you are only at the very start. We want the resumed talks to assume stability," news agencies quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as telling Saeb Erakat at the start of their meeting.

He further stated: "We want the negotiations to achieve the result that we are all after - a final settlement, including all the issues concerning final status, so that a Palestinian state emerges that lives in peace and security together with Israel and other nations."

Russia's top diplomat added that Moscow fully supported Washington's efforts to re-launch the negotiations after a hiatus of nearly three years.
"Considering the lengthy pause we saw in the negotiating process, we find it especially important to strengthen trust between the two sides," Lavrov said.

The long-awaited return to peace talks was overshadowed by a new row over Israeli settlement plans for the occupied Palestinian territories.
Lavrov made no direct mention of the settlement issue but at the same time praised the Palestinians for showing "restraint".

He also welcomed "Israel's" decision to release a group of Palestinian prisoners."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team