Middle East News
Russia's President Medvedev calls for Palestinian state
Apr 6, 2009, 15:16 GMT
Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday called for a two-state solution in the Middle East following talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.
'We continue to support the establishment of a separate Palestinian state,' Medvedev said, according to Russia's Itar-Tass news agency.
The Kremlin chief again announced plans for a Middle East conference in Moscow, for which a date has yet to be set, saying the conference could mark 'the next step towards a solution to the conflict.'
Russia is an important partner for the Palestinians.
Abbas meanwhile pledged to continue to consult with Moscow on all major developments. Talks with Moscow so soon after the inauguration of the new Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu were important, he said.
Abbas said he and Medvedev had discussed the 'Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.'
Medvedev had during Abbas' previous visit to Moscow in December, assured the Palestinian leader of his support.
As a member of the so-called Middle East Quartet, Russia also maintains contact with the radical Palestinian Islamist Hamas organization that controls the Gaza Strip in its bid to help resolve the Middle East conflict - to the irritation of Israel.
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