Moscow Sees Its Main Task In Disengaging Palestinian And Israeli Sides And Resuming Peace Process

The main task in settling the situation in the Middle East is for Russia to "disengage the Palestinian and the Israeli sides and resume the peace process," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told a press conference at the end of the first round of talks with his Yemeni counterpart on Wednesday. Russia has made and will continue to make efforts toward restoring a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. "In that region, we have many friends interested in a lasting peace," he stressed. Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council and a co-sponsor of Mideast settlement, is maintaining close ties with all the countries interested in the settlement of this problem, he said. He noted that the problem of Mideast settlement is so serious that not a single country could solve it on its own. Moscow calls for cooperation between the USA, European nations and all other forces seeking peace in the Middle East, stressed Ivanov. Russia is making intensive contacts with Arab countries and Israel in search of such a mechanism that would make it possible to establish peace in the region, said the minister.