Proposal on Mideast conference in Moscow remains in force-RF envoy

BEIRUT, December 12 (Itar-Tass) - The proposal to hold an international Middle East conference in Moscow “remains in force,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov (Pictured) told Itar-Tass in an interview. “We do not abandon this idea and give preference to collective efforts in the peace process,” the senior Russian diplomat said.

Saltanov, who is also RF president’s special envoy for the Middle East, noted that the “International conference is an important instrument for advancing the comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.” According to him, it is the best option for attaining progress not only in Palestine, but also in other spheres of the peace process. “We are certain that the collective work is needed, as isolated attempts have led to nothing,” the Russian deputy foreign minister said.

Saltanov admitted that the situation around the settlement remains difficult, and “it is so far difficult to make any assumptions about what might happen next.” He said that representatives of countries - members of the Quartet of international mediators on the Middle East settlement will hold a meeting on the initiative of the American side.

The Russian deputy foreign minister on Saturday concluded talks in Lebanon and on Sunday will travel to Damascus, where he will hold consultations with Syrian counterparts.

The Russian leadership believes that the Israeli-Palestinian talks can be resumed only collectively on the basis of the strong basis of international law and in strict compliance with the “Road Map”, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. It is important to refrain from actions that would anticipate the outcome of the talks on the final status, stop all settlement activities in Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and decisively fight terrorist manifestations.

Palestinian-Israeli talks may resume if Israel stops settlement activities, Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass during his visit to Russia in January. Abbas recalled that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and he had “come to the stage of determining the borders and exchanged maps” but “Olmert ran into problems and resigned.” “But we want to resume that movement in order to solve it, and if they [Israelis] agree to suspend settlement activities and agree with the borders of 1967, we will resume the talks, and I hope Israel will do it,” Abbas said. Palestinians will live with Israel in tolerance if the state of Palestine is created, Abbas said.

The Quartet on the Middle East, sometimes called the Diplomatic Quartet or Madrid Quartet or simply the Quartet, is a foursome of nations and international and supranational entities involved in mediating the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Quartet was established in Madrid in 2002 by the Spanish Prime Minister Aznar, as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Tony Blair is the Quartet's current Special Envoy.