Russia speaks for resuming negotiating process in Mideast conflict on road map basis

Moscow speaks for the necessity of the sides meeting each other halfway in the Mideast conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department statement received by RIA Novosti says Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is in Moscow on a routine visit.

The Foreign Ministry noted that the conversation focused on the situation in the Middle East in light of the continuing confrontation in Palestine-Israel relations.

Ivanov confirmed Russia's consecutive position aimed at the soonest termination of confrontation in the region. The necessity was stressed to resume the negotiating process on the basis of the road map developed by the quartet of international mediators, which is the only peace settlement plan for the Middle East so far.

The Russian foreign minister confirmed that Russia, in interaction with other interested sides, under the UN aegis, will consecutively seek to attain an overwhelming and just Mideast settlement, so that Israel and Palestine could live side by side in peace and security, while all countries and nations of the region would get a chance to develop in conditions of stability and good-neighborliness.

The conversation touched upon other urgent regional and international issues representing mutual interest, first of all, the fight against international terrorism and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.